Indigenous Bail Verification & Supervision Program

In 2017 Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation began offering its Indigenous Bail Program. Indigenous Bail Workers help create release plans by locating potential sureties, finding appropriate addresses, and providing verified information to court officials. The program also offers bail supervision services. Supervision supports accused persons who do not have the financial means or social ties to be released pending trial. The program ensures that clients are supervised in the community such that they attend their court dates, comply with their conditions of release and have assistance to navigate the criminal court process.

The Indigenous Bail Verification & Supervision Program follows a holistic guided criteria:

• Indigenous Traditions, Practices and World Views
• Presumption of Innocence
• Strengths of the Client
• Connection to Community
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Unique Barriers Faced by Indigenous Peoples
• Effects of Discrimination
• Prejudice and the Legacy of Colonialism and Displacement

Created in 2018, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation’s Community Release and Reintegration Program provides a wide range of services to the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Communities.

Its three main services and programs include:

• Bail  Supervision Verification and Verification
• Reintegration Aftercare
• Nation Based Justice Support

1. Bail

Assists individuals to obtain reasonable bail promptly.  The program seeks to reduce the number of community members on remand in jails and alleviate the burden placed on families and communities due to displacement by the criminal justice system.

2. Reintegration

Supports adults departing detention centers to ensure a cohesive return home. The program’s aim is to create positive, supportive and sustainable returns with connections to mentorship, employment, housing, social and mental health programming.

3. National-Based Justice Supports

Acts as an in-community connection to justice services. Staff participate in inclusive justice dialogue, connect with other NALSC departments, and offer prevention, intervention and land-based activities.

Oana Cristea, Staff Lawyer
Timmins Office
119 Pine Street South, Suite 210, Timmins, ON P4N 2K3
Cell: (705) 288- 9700
Tel: (705) 268- 1105
Fax: (705) 268- 0012
Email: ocristea@nanlegal.on.ca 

Catherine Gull, Indigenous Bail Verification Coordinator
Timmins Office
119 Pine Street South, Suite 210, Timmins, ON P4N 2K3
Cell: (705) 288- 4902
Tel: (705) 268- 1105
Fax: (705) 268- 0012
cgull@nanlegal.on.ca

Amanda Ratte
Indigenous Bail Verification & Supervision Worker
Timmins Office
119 Pine Street South, Suite 201, Timmins ON P4N 2K3
Cell: (705) 288- 5515
aratte@nanlegal.on.ca

Elizabeth Norman, IBVSP Admin Support
Timmins Office
119 Pine Street South, Suite 210, Timmins, ON P4N 2K3
Cell: (705) 288- 7800
Fax: (705) 268- 0012
Email: enorman@nanlegal.on.ca 

Adam Mack, Bail Navigator
Monteith Correctional Complex
Cell: (705) 221-8889
Office: 705–232–4092 EXT 150
Email: MonteithBailNavigator-Nilo@ontario.ca

Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services Corporation
Cell: (705) 221-8889
Office: (705) 268-1105 EXT 202
Email: amack@nanlegal.on.ca

Kasabonika Lake
Keith McKay
Kasabonika Lake First Nation
Tel: (807) 535-9252
Cell: (807) 738- 5805
Fax: (807) 535-9211
kmckay@nanlegal.on.ca