Coming back to the circle
Review hearings
Sentencing isn't the end of First Nations Court. You come back, usually every few months, so the circle can see how your healing plan is going.
What a review is
Review hearings are a common part of the process, and in most courts you'll return several times.
The judge, the Elders, and the lawyers use them to check on your progress and support you along the way.
What happens at one
You tell the circle how the plan is going: what's working, and what's been hard. Then you get feedback from the Elders and the judge.
Reviews also mean more eyes on you. Coming back regularly increases your supervision and accountability while you're on bail, probation, or a conditional sentence order.
Reviews are also where problems can be raised and talked through before they grow.
Finishing
When you complete your healing plan, you graduate from the court. The Provincial Court describes graduation as a new beginning, and some courts mark it with a blanket ceremony.
The court says that when an Elder wraps someone in a ceremonial blanket, it symbolizes their acceptance of responsibility, support, protection, growth, and a welcoming back to the community.
Not every stretch of the road is smooth, and the court knows that. Read what to do if you slip up.