A new event entitled “Braiding Diversity into Justice” was held on April 28, 2023 at the Thunder Bay Courthouse. This program had originally been created by the Ontario Justice Education Network (“OJEN”) and its Kitchener-Waterloo Committee. The event was brought to Thunder Bay by the Thunder Bay Braiding Diversity into Justice Committee, chaired by Justice Warkentin with the assistance of the Thunder Bay branch of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF).

The goal of the “Braiding Diversity into Justice” event was to connect young Indigenous students of high school age with members of the legal/justice sector in order to motivate and empower them in the hopes of inspiring these young people to build confidence in their ability to become successful legal/justice sector professionals. It also allowed them to hear from Indigenous justice system workers, and connect with other members of the justice system. The event aimed to help Indigenous youth picture themselves as professionals in the justice system, whether they envision themselves as lawyers, judges, restorative justice workers, etc.

This event included a breakfast and opening address, restorative justice workshops, an interactive torts workshop, a lunch mixer, and a courthouse tour. The program also introduced a mentorship program between interested youth and volunteer justice system workers to continue and foster longstanding relationships between indigenous youth and those who work in the justice system.

The event was made possible by those volunteering their time, including two of our associates Hayley Yorke and Natalie Gerry.