Today is day 34 of the #94in94 campaign. MFCI has accepted the challenge to read and share a TRC Call to Action we are acting on.

In response to Call to Action #34, we continue to advocate government for expanded programs and more appropriate programs related to offenders with FASD and criminal justice involvement. We are excited about the current Manitoba pilot project which assesses young adults in the court system for FASD. Additionally, in 2019, Manitoba opened a sentencing court specifically for offenders with FASD- the first of its kind in Canada.

Nationally, this Call to Action is deemed “in progress” with projects proposed.

#34 We call upon the governments of Canada, the provinces, and territories to undertake reforms to the criminal justice system to better address the needs of offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), including:

1. Providing increased community resources and powers for courts to ensure that FASD is properly diagnosed, and that appropriate community supports are in place for those with FASD
2. Enacting statutory exemptions from mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment for offenders affected by FASD.
3. Providing community, correctional, and parole resources to maximize the ability of people with FASD to live in the community.
4. Adopting appropriate evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of such programs and ensure community safety.

To read the full report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission go to https://nctr.ca/records/reports/

For more information about the campaign go to https://reconciliationthunder.org/

Today is day 33 of the #94in94 campaign. MFCI has accepted the challenge to read and share a TRC Call to Action that we are acting on.

In response to Call to Action #33, we continue to build relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities through projects such as the Looking After Each Other project. This project provides us with teachings, allowing us to incorporate a culturally appropriate informed approach to existing FASD intervention and prevention programs. We also continue to advocate government for more appropriate programs.

Nationally, this Call to Action has been declared “not started”.  Currently, there are initiatives for prevention, but it is not new funding. 

#33 We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to recognize as a high priority the need to address and prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and to develop, in collaboration with Aboriginal people, FASD preventive programs that can be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.

In Manitoba existing prevention programs include: STAR Program, InSight Mentoring, Mothering Project, and Project Choices among other initiatives.

To read the full report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, go to https://nctr.ca/records/reports/

For more information about the #94in94 campaign go to https://reconciliationthunder.org/

For more information about the Looking After Each Other project go to https://www.fasdcoalition.ca/looking-after-each-other-project/