Indigenous-Led Conference Champions Section 84 as Legal Right Transforming Justice System
The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society is hosting a national conference to advance Section 84 of Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act, a legal provision enabling Indigenous communities to lead culturally-grounded reintegration that addresses systemic overrepresentation in prisons while improving public safety.
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 in prison to demonstrate restorative justice in action. Section 84 represents a fundamental legal right under Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act that empowers Indigenous communities to co-create culture-based release plans for individuals returning from federal custody.
Merv Thomas, CEO of Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, emphasized that Section 84 is not merely a program but a legal right affirming Indigenous self-determination within the justice system. When Indigenous communities lead the reintegration process, healing extends beyond the individual to families, neighborhoods, and surrounding systems. The approach reconnects returning citizens with ceremony, culture, and community support, effectively reducing recidivism while strengthening public safety.
The significance of Section 84 becomes particularly evident when considering Canada's prison demographics. Indigenous people constitute only 5 percent of the national population yet represent over 32 percent of federal prison inmates, with Indigenous women accounting for nearly 50 percent of female prisoners. This systemic overrepresentation underscores the urgent need for community-led, culturally grounded approaches to reintegration. Section 84 directly addresses this disparity while fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 35.
For more than 55 years, Circle of Eagles has operated on Coast Salish territory, providing culturally safe halfway houses, Elder-led healing programs, and employment training for Indigenous people returning to community. The organization has supported over 1,300 individuals through its lodges and outreach services, delivering more than 36,000 meals annually through programs like Bannock on the Run and Unhoused Outreach. The upcoming Kwanatul Gathering, meaning 'Together,' will feature Elder and resident-led circles sharing lived experiences of healing and accountability, workshops on implementing Section 84 planning, policy sessions aligned with Canada's new Indigenous Justice Strategy, and cultural ceremonies honoring Coast Salish protocols.
The conference represents a 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. Registration and detailed information about the gathering are available at section84.com. Additional resources, including high-resolution images and media kits, can be accessed through https://bit.ly/section84media. Circle of Eagles Lodge Society's ongoing work and organizational background are detailed at circleofeagles.com.
Thomas reinforced that successful reintegration occurs when processes are Indigenous-led and community-centered, describing Section 84 as a public safety solution rooted in culture rather than corrections. The conference aims to advance this paradigm shift, demonstrating how legal rights combined with cultural practices can create meaningful pathways home that benefit both individuals and communities while addressing historical injustices within Canada's justice system.