AIRJA

Alberta Indigenous Restorative Justice in Action

AIRJA is a platform for Indigenous communities, practitioners, and allies to share their experiences and connect with others in a context of cultural safety. This forum is dedicated to developing a support network focused on culturally relevant RJ services. The relationships forming this past year with Alberta Justice, First Nations, the Metis Nation of Alberta, Metis Settlements, mainstream agencies and restorative practitioners are a testament to the many communities working to address the disproportionate representation of Indigenous peoples in the social and criminal justice system. This province-wide engagement initiative would not have been possible without the continued participation and support of the Stakeholders and people who participated in the online and in-person engagement sessions this past year.

On behalf of the AIRJA Stakeholders, we’re pleased to share that Alberta Justice has awarded a grant for continuance.

Click the image below to read the

'What we heard' report

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AIRJA Stakeholders Committee

Terms of Reference

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Guiding
Principles

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Meet the AIRJA
Stakeholder Advisory Committee

The AIRJA Stakeholder Advisory Committee will play a crucial role in transforming insights into actionable strategies by leveraging its members' collective wisdom and experiences. The committee's focus will include advocating for sufficient funding and supporting training and certification processes that reflect Indigenous justice cultural values. Additionally, it will prioritize the well-being of practitioners by addressing burnout and promoting sustainability within the restorative justice framework. Through its multifaceted approach, the AIRJA Committee will contribute to the evolution of restorative justice practices that honour and empower Indigenous peoples, fostering healing and reconciliation across the province.

The AIRJA Stakeholder Advisory Committee was formed through an open call inviting individuals to express their interest in supporting this important work. The committee brings together Indigenous leaders and non-Indigenous allies, each offering distinct perspectives and experiences in support of the AIRJA initiative.

Stakeholder Advisory Committee

Stacey Harrison

Stacey has been involved in youth work for over 35 years. He has had several roles in that time- from youth camp worker, group home staff, young offender facility staff, to youth addictions counsellor, youth support staff, and mentor. He has been involved in youth justice for over 20 years and adult restorative justice for almost 10 years. Some of his accomplishments include: Graduated with distinction of ‘Sum Dum Kid’ from JAWS High School- Lac La Biche- 1988/1989(General Diploma/ Matriculation Diploma) 1991-Quit drinking and quit drugs- discovered his indigenous roots and started on his cultural path 2017- awarded the George Brertton Award for outstanding work in the field of RJ, and helping the RJ movement, within Alberta (awarded by the Alberta Restorative Justice Consortium) 2025- awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for recognition of his dedication to service, in the youth work field, and making significant contributions to the betterment of the local community (awarded on behalf of G.O.C., and BGC Canada). Regarding Restorative Justice, Stacey has co-facilitated over 500+ culturally based healing/peacemaking Circles, as well as 20+ Sentencing Circles, appearing in courthouses across Alberta (St. Paul, Edmonton, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville), and once in London Ontario, once in Canoe Lake Saskatchewan, and a week-long mediation in Kelowna B.C., around a divorce. The Healing/peacemaking circles topics included: Assault, Domestic Assaults, Mischief, Drug Possession, Fail to Comply, Employee/Employer, Family/Family, Student/Teacher, Parent/teacher, Teammate/teammate, Parent/Child, Housing Disputes(with Chief and Council involvement). Several of the sentencing Circles were Queen’s/King’s Bench referrals, involving several serious matters (Manslaughter (X2 Circles), a historical Sexual Assault, Impaired Driving causing Death). Stacey is currently the Executive Director at BGC (formerly known as Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club)- the oldest BGC in Canada located on a First Nation, 1 of 2 in Canada. He is also a circle keeper with the Saddle Lake Restorative Justice Team. He also sits on the Indigenous Advisory Council for BGC Canada. Husband of 30 years to a wonderful woman who puts up with his quirks and humor, fur daddy to 4 dogs, 5 cats, and 2-legged kids. In his spare time, Stacey is a semi-professional crafty artisan (painting, woodwork, carving, leather, bead work), and avid tabletop/board gamer (no console games). And he likes long walks on the beach and poking dead things with sharp sticks.

Brandy Newman

Brandy Newman is an allied practitioner with over a decade of experience in community engagement, mental health & addictions, and youth justice, and she brings both lived and professional experience that is deeply aligned with the committee's mission of advancing culturally grounded, community-led restorative justice in Alberta. As a current therapist specializing in mental health and addictions her work is rooted in trauma-informed, land-based, and culturally safe practices, and she has had the privilege to receive teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers in traditional healing methods. Brandy incorporates these teachings not only into her personal life but also in her clinical and restorative practices, including smudging, circle processes, and storytelling as a means of healing and community building. Brandy has developed and facilitated psychoeducational and process-based group programs for anger management, emotional regulation, and addiction recovery - many of which were designed specifically for Indigenous participants or those impacted by Intergenerational trauma. As a program developer and educator, Brandy has trained volunteers on the Youth Criminal Justice Act and restorative justice processes through working with youth justice committees in Alberta, and is actively involved in building grassroots justice alternatives through nonprofit leadership. Brandy's commitment to the values expressed in the AIRJA Committee's Terms of Reference - community healing, Indigenous leadership, culturally relevant training, and practitioner wellness - is unwavering. Brandy believes in the principle of "Nothing About Us, Without Us" and the vital need to co-create justice systems that do not merely accommodate Indigenous worldviews but are shaped by them.

Gloria Braithwaite

Born in Ghana, West Africa, Gloria is a Director of Services for McMan Youth, Family, and Community – Edmonton and North. She is a Social Worker and trained Restorative Justice Practitioner, specializing in the application of restorative practices to address a wide range of issues. Gloria also holds a certification in Communication – Alternative Dispute Resolution, along with Mediation training from the ADR Institute of Alberta. Guided by curiosity, research, and a genuine desire to engage meaningfully, Gloria ensures her approaches remain innovative and responsive to evolving needs. She places a high value on the importance of healing and restoring relationships-both at the individual and societal levels. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, Gloria is an ally who continues to walk the path of creating spaces that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being. A dynamic and compassionate professional, Gloria brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and strategic vision to her work in restorative practices.

Tammy Poorman

Bio coming soon!

Cora Martin

Secretary/Treasurer

Jeffery Chalifoux

Jeffery Chalifoux (he/they) is a Two-Spirit Métis counsellor, consultant, and community advocate with over 15 years of experience advancing Indigenous health, social justice, and culturally grounded wellness initiatives. Currently working as a Counsellor with Primary Care Alberta, Jeffery provides trauma-informed, harm-reduction-based support to individuals across Alberta. He holds advanced clinical graduate-level certificates and a bachelor’s in social work and has completed additional certifications through the Nechi Institute, including the Community Addictions Training and Advanced Counsellor Training. Jeffery is also certified in Restorative Justice Conferencing and has briefly served on the Alberta Restorative Justice Association’s (ARJA) Board of Directors. With a strong foundation in restorative practices, Jeffery has worked with justice-involved and marginalized Indigenous individuals in both urban and rural settings. He previously served as the founding Executive Director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, where he led grassroots initiatives grounded in traditional teachings and relationship-based healing. Jeffery is grateful for restorative justice practices as an honours graduate with the Edmonton Drug Treatment & Community Restoration Court in 2010. Since then, he has contributed to community wellness as an advisor to local, regional, and national organizations and has led workshops on restorative justice, reconciliation, harm reduction, and culturally informed mental health support. Jeffery is a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Mental Health & Addictions Circle's True Grit Award for his lived experiences and work in these areas and has given testimony on the House of Commons on the matter of Two-Spirit health. Jeffery’s lived experience as a Métis person with intergenerational and systemic impacts informs his deep commitment to transformative justice, community healing, and Indigenous-led systems change. His voice, rooted in cultural resilience and practical experience, will contribute meaningfully to AIRJA’s vision of building restorative justice systems that are reflective of, and accountable to, Indigenous Peoples.

Gayle Desmeules

President/Chair

Gayle’s Leadership in Restorative Justice Professional Background and Credentials Gayle Desmeules is Métis and holds an M.A. in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. She is recognized as a Qualified Mediator and maintains membership with both the ADR Institute of Alberta and Canada. Dynamic Leadership and Impact Through her dynamic leadership, Gayle has become a catalyst for the advancement of restorative practices, contributing to grassroots community initiatives as well as provincial and national collaborations. Founder of True Dialogue RJ Centre Gayle is the founder and President/CEO of the True Dialogue RJ Centre. The Centre is dedicated to providing facilitation services for victims and offenders involved in the Criminal Justice System. Holistic Approach and Commitment With expertise in restorative resolution processes and traditional ways of knowing, Gayle brings a holistic perspective to her work. Her professional journey is marked by a deep commitment to furthering restorative justice principles across diverse settings. She guides individuals through challenging conversations and offers organizations advice on systemic transformation, always approaching her work with humility, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to healing and growth. Responding to Truth and Reconciliation Under Gayle’s guidance, the True Dialogue RJ Centre offers a platform for practitioners and organizations to explore culturally relevant practices in response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. A notable initiative is the Alberta Indigenous Restorative Justice in Action (AIRJA) project, funded by Alberta Justice. Continuous Journey Toward Reconciliation Gayle emphasizes that truth and reconciliation is not a destination but an ongoing journey. This process requires patience, accountability, and a commitment to shared growth in climates of mutual respect by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners dedicated to addressing over-representation in the justice system.

Cora is a citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Metis Nation, works in Restorative Justice (RJ), and is pursuing the Qualified Mediator designation. Her experience as an Indigenous Family Court worker in Calgary, along with her background in Restorative Justice training and facilitation, gives her valuable insights into the benefits of ADR. Cora holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from MacEwan University and has successfully completed both the Communications and Mediation Training Certificate programs through the ADR Institute of Alberta. Cora first encountered Restorative Justice while volunteering with the Edmonton Youth Justice Committee at university. Since then, she has participated in Restorative Justice and Peacemaking trainings and has subsequently co-facilitated referrals and training events. Cora fosters meaningful conversations that turn conflict into growth and connection. She works with humility, curiosity, and an openness to new perspectives and continuous learning. She enjoys volunteering as a youth mentor for Synergy's SHOUT Girls Program.