Winners >Sergeant Wade Blake

Honourable Mention

Sergeant Wade Blake
RCMP, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador

Sergeant Wade Blake is a member of the RCMP stationed in Labrador.  In spite of little or no funding and resources, he introduced the Community Justice Forum program to Labrador through a pilot project he developed and implemented.  The program is aimed at helping young people in conflict with the law and included information sessions, training Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal facilitators and the creation of a Community Justice Committee.

Sergeant Blake's commitment to alternative justice approaches has inspired community members and professionals -- many of whom are now enthusiastic participants in the program.  The Community Justice process used by Sergeant Blake makes use of police referrals and requires offenders to face their victims and apologize for the harm they have caused.  Healing and re-integration back into the community are essential to the program.  A number of cases have been successfully addressed, most of them involving youth.  This work has been aided by the co-operation of community members and local institutions such as the school system.

The Community Justice Forum has proved particularly valuable since it provides a culturally appropriate alternative to the formal court system.  It is based on respect for other people and on accepting responsibility for our own actions.  Sergeant Blake's initiative has made a significant difference to his community and has provided a welcome new approach to the administration of justice in Labrador.  He has expanded the program by training Innu, Inuit and Métis facilitators who have taken the program back to their own communities.

Contact person:

Sergeant Wade Blake 709-896-1251