Inuit offenders heal at Montreal halfway house

JANE GEORGE
Nunatsiaq News

MONTREAL – Every one knows that are far too many aboriginal men – including many Inuit – doing time in Canadian prisons, but a Montreal halfway house wants to change this situation.

Waseskun House is the only community residential center for native men in Quebec.

It’s also the only one in Quebec that offers an intensive treatment program to help offenders regain balance in their lives and stay out of jail.

Since 1988, over 400 First Nations and Inuit men have passed through Waseskun House.

One-third from Nunavik

Any aboriginal inmate from Quebec who is serving time at federal or provincial jails can ask to complete his sentence at Waseskun House.

The center accepts up to 20 men at a time for its five month-long therapy program, and a third of its residents usually come from Nunavik.

Based on past experience, staffers at Waseskun House say eight out of 109 men who finished therapy won’t end up in jail again.

Intensive therapy takes time

From 8 am to 8 pm every day, residents at Waseskun House participate in sessions dealing with subjects such as sexuality, life skills or grieving.

Most arrive there with problems related to alcohol or drug abuse, often connected to feelings of loss, shame or low self-esteem.

Therapy, based on the circular, drum-like symbol of the “medicine wheel,” tries to every aspect of an inmate’s past life.

A regular community healing circle is one place where memories and feelings surface.

“The circle has no time limit, and has been known to run any time between three and five hours,” says counselor Nicki Garfatt. “It ends when everyone is satisfied that a conclusion and resolution has been reached. Closure is by consensus.”

Anger and stress management is also an important part of the therapy.

“We don’t suppress it,” says program coordinator Bevan Skerratt. “We go to the roots.”

But some who arrive at Waseskun House leave during the four week-long orientation period.

Alcohol and drugs are readily available in all jails – but at Waseskun House they’re strictly forbidden.

And, although residents are free to go out into Montreal in the evening, they must observe a curfew and good behaviour.

Program challenges Inuit

Communication during these intense therapy sessions can sometimes be difficult for Inuit, because there are no regular Inuit staff members on hand to help translate.

But those Inuit at Waseskun House said they’re comfortable with the program.

“You can find people to talk to here,” said one resident from Puvirnituq.

This young man admitted that the first time he tried to follow the Waseskun House therapy program, he couldn’t adapt.

But his time, he said he’s thrown himself into the experience and wasn’t even counting the time.

But Inuit residents miss traditional foods and their families.

And they sometimes have a hard time making those back home in Nunavik understand what life at the center is like. Women are jealous, while family members ask, “When are you coming back from your holiday in Montreal?.”

Separation from community an advantage

Skerratt says the fact that Waseskun House is removed from Inuit communities may actually be an advantage.

That’s because therapy tries to rebuild the relationship between offenders, their victims and their communities. Sometimes this goal is easier to achieve when there is space between those involved.

Nation-wide aboriginal network

Internet users may also plug directly into Waseskun House. The center is putting the finishing touches on a new interactive website (http://www.waseskun.net).

This site contains information about community corrections, aboriginal justice, prevention healing. It’s part of the Waseskun Network, a nation-wide aboriginal computer network.

They’ll soon be creating chat and conference forums for aboriginal caregivers and front-line social service workers across Canada.

The project was one of seven to get money from Canarie Inc., a federally-funded non-profit corporation set up to stimulate telecommunications development.

It’s part of Waseskun House’s long-term goal to serve as a healing and professional development center for all native community members and front-line workers in Quebec.

A Waseskun House near every community?

Waseskun House would also like to move out of the city. Plans are being made to buy property in the country.

For the past four years, the center has held camp sessions outside Montreal during the summer.

Inuit residents say that they enjoy the swimming and paddleboating, but one camper says he’s not sure he liked the environment.

“I am not used to trees,” he said. “It was like being in jail. To me the trees represent walls.”

But three health workers from Aupaluk also attended last summer’s camp were impressed what they saw during their stay.

“In our society, it’s hard to find such a place,” said nurse Robert Lemay. “In an ideal society, there would be good to have one near every community.”