Indigenous-Led Restorative Justice Conference to Showcase Section 84 Reintegration Success

Elders, justice partners, people formerly in prison, and allies will gather in Vancouver this November to showcase restorative justice in action through Section 84, a legal pathway that empowers Indigenous communities to co-create culture-based release plans. The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, one of Canada's leading Indigenous authorities on Section 84 release planning, will host the Section 84 Kwanatul Conference from November 13-14, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Merv Thomas, CEO of Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, emphasized that Section 84 represents more than just a program, stating that it is a legal right affirming Indigenous self-determination in the justice system.

Section 84 of Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act provides Indigenous people in federal custody the legal right to develop release plans with their communities and Indigenous organizations. This approach reconnects returning citizens with ceremony, culture, and community support, effectively reducing recidivism while strengthening public safety. The significance of this legal provision becomes particularly evident when considering the stark statistics: Indigenous people represent only 5 percent of Canada's population yet constitute over 32 percent of those in federal prisons, with the figure rising to nearly 50 percent for Indigenous women. Section 84 reintegration directly addresses this over-representation by creating community-led, culturally grounded pathways home that align with trauma-informed practices.

The conference, whose name Kwanatul means 'Together,' will feature Elder and resident-led circles sharing lived experiences of healing and accountability, workshops on how Indigenous communities can implement or expand Section 84 planning, and policy sessions advancing community-led models aligned with Canada's new Indigenous Justice Strategy. Cultural ceremonies and shared meals honoring Coast Salish protocols will underscore the cultural foundation of this approach. For more than 55 years, Circle of Eagles has operated on Coast Salish territory, providing culturally safe halfway houses, Elder-led healing programs, and employment training for Indigenous people returning to community. The organization has supported over 1,300 individuals through its lodges and outreach services, delivering more than 36,000 meals annually through programs like Bannock on the Run and Unhoused Outreach.

Thomas highlighted that reintegration succeeds when it's Indigenous-led with community involvement, describing Section 84 as a public safety solution rooted in culture rather than corrections. The 2025 national conference invites justice professionals, Indigenous organizations, and community members committed to reconciliation to participate in shaping a new future for Indigenous reintegration. This gathering represents a direct fulfillment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 35, demonstrating how legal rights like those outlined at section84.com can transform justice systems through community leadership and cultural restoration.