WHAT IS BIIDAABAN ALL ABOUT?

• Biidaaban is about building a strong, healthy, safe community.
• Biidaaban is about taking responsibility for one’s own behaviour with the support of a caring community.
• Biidaaban is about being accountable to oneself, family and community.
• Biidaaban is about making restitution to those who have been harmed.
• Biidaaban is about reconciliation with those who have been harmed, their family and the community.

Biidaaban is based on the Seven Grandfather Teachings

Wisdom  Nbwaakaawin
Love  Zaagiwewin
Respect  Mnaadendmowin
Bravery  Zoongde’ewin
Honesty  Gwekwaadziwin
Humility  Ddasendmowin
Truth  Debwewin

Biidaaban is about respecting each individual and their values and beliefs.

All family and community members involved will be offered support throughout the process.

It’s not an easy way out! It takes strength and courage to participate in the Biidaaban Process.

What is the Community Process?

Biidaaban is a process based on our First Nations knowledge of healing that incorporates the body, mind, heart and spirit.

Rather than punishment, the idea is to restore balance in the lives of those affected by harm.

The person who has been harmed:

• Is provided with support even if the person that has harmed them refuses to participate.
• Is asked for their permission for the Biidaaban process to proceed.
• Is given a safe environment to tell the person who has harmed them how the behaviour has impacted their life.
• Has a voice into how the wrongs can be corrected to restore the balance.
• Is supported in the healing process.

The person who has harmed:
• Accepts responsibility for their behaviour or actions at a Community Gathering.
• Apologizes to those they have harmed.
• Makes amends to the person and the community they have harmed.
• Provides restitution to the person and the community they have harmed.
• Is supported in the healing process.

Information for the person who has been harmed:
Biidaaban was developed to assist those that have been harmed by someone through this difficult time.  If you have been hurt or wronged by someone, we can assist you in exploring the options you have available to making yourself feel safe, restore balance in your life and if you choose, repair the relationships that have been harmed.

We offer many services towards developing a Plan of Care which would include some or all of the following:

• Holistic support
• Individual, Couple and Family Counselling
• Group Programs 
• Sharing and Healing Circles
• Anger Management
• Building Healthy Relationships
• Structured Relapse Prevention
• Women’s Circles
• Men’s Circles
• Children and Youth Circles
• Assistance through the Court Process
• Preparation for the Community Gathering
• Referrals to Traditional Healers, Psychologist and Therapists

Information for the person who has harmed:
• As a person who has harmed someone, you may or may not be charged by the police.
• You must meet the Biidaaban Criteria and take responsibility for your behaviour.  The person who has been harmed needs to agree to your participation in the process.
• You will meet with the Biidaaban Team, be assigned a Primary Worker and sign an Interim Treatment Plan and attempt to have your case adjourned for four months.
• During the four months you will complete the Plan.  This time will give both you and Biidaaban a chance to see if the Community Process is right for you.  Biidaaban will give the Court a written report of your progress.  The sentence the Court gives you may depend upon your commitment to the Plan.
• You will attend a Community Gathering, where the persons harmed and the community will speak with you about your behaviour.  They will decide with you how this can be made right for everyone.

Information for the family:

You may be experiencing a variety of feelings such as anger, shock, fear, guilt, sadness, etc.  These are normal feelings at a time like this.

Biidaaban is available to provide support and assistance to all family members  of those involved in this process.  Whether you are a family member of the person who has been harmed or of the person who as harmed, we offer the following services:

• Holistic support
• Individual, Couple and Family  Counselling
• Group Programs
• Sharing and Healing Circles
• Building Healthy Relationships
• Women’s Circles
• Anger Management
• Structured Relapse Prevention
• Men’s Circles
• Children and Youth Circles
• Assistance through the Court Process
• Preparation for the Community Gathering
• Referrals to Traditional Healers, Psychologists and Therapists
• Referrals to Treatment
• The Community Gathering

The community will be invited to attend the Gathering:

• The Gathering will begin with a ceremonial opening which will depend on the wishes of the participants.
• The person who has harmed will speak about their wrongful behaviour.
• The community will have an opportunity to discuss how they have been affected.
• After listening to the community, the person who has harmed will apologize to everyone involved for their wrongful behaviour.
• A Healing Contract will be developed by the community with everyone’s input.
• The Healing Contract will be signed by the person who has harmed and by Biidaaban.
• There will be an educational component to the Gathering.
• A ceremonial closing will end the gathering.
• Biidaaban will meet regularly with those involved to ensure the Healing Contract is being fulfilled and people’s needs are being met.
• There will be a six month review to monitor progress.
• Once the Healing Contract has been fulfilled and balance has been restored, there will be a Ceremonial Celebration to signify that the Biidaaban process has been completed.