Indigenous-Led Section 84 Conference to Advance Restorative Justice and Address Prison Overrepresentation

The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, a leading Indigenous authority on Section 84 release planning, will host the Section 84 Kwanatul Conference in Vancouver from November 13-14, 2025, bringing together elders, justice partners, and people formerly incarcerated to demonstrate restorative justice in action. Section 84 of Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act represents a legal right that empowers Indigenous communities to co-create culture-based release plans, restoring relationships while improving community safety. Merv Thomas, CEO of Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, emphasized that Restorative Justice is our law in practice. Section 84 is not a program – it's a legal right that affirms Indigenous self-determination in the justice system.

The conference comes at a critical time as Indigenous people represent only 5 percent of Canada's population yet constitute over 32 percent of federal prison populations, with Indigenous women accounting for nearly 50 percent of incarcerated women. Section 84 addresses this systemic overrepresentation by creating community-led, culturally grounded pathways home that reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety. This approach directly fulfills the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 35, representing a significant step toward reconciliation within Canada's justice system.

The Kwanatul Gathering, meaning 'Together,' will feature elder and resident-led circles sharing lived experiences of healing and accountability, workshops on implementing Section 84 planning, and policy sessions advancing community-led models aligned with Canada's new Indigenous Justice Strategy. Thomas added that reintegration works when it's Indigenous-led with community. Section 84 is a public-safety solution rooted in culture, not corrections. The event will include cultural ceremonies and shared meals honoring Coast Salish protocols, reflecting the holistic approach that makes Section 84 planning effective.

Circle of Eagles has operated on Coast Salish territory for over 55 years, providing culturally safe halfway houses, Elder-led healing programs, and employment training for Indigenous people returning to community. The organization has supported more than 1,300 individuals through its lodges and outreach services, delivering over 36,000 meals annually through programs like Bannock on the Run and Unhoused Outreach. Conference attendees can learn more about Section 84 implementation at section84.com and access additional resources through the organization's website at circleofeagles.com.

The conference represents a growing national movement toward justice transformation, inviting justice professionals, Indigenous organizations, and community members committed to reconciliation to participate in shaping the future of Indigenous reintegration. Through lived-experience sharing from individuals like Johnny Mattice and Ruby Harry, who can speak to successful Section 84 planning outcomes including entrepreneurship and family reconnection, the gathering demonstrates how Indigenous-led approaches create meaningful change beyond the justice system itself.