MONTREAL — The Mohawk band council of Akwesasne has introduced what is considered the first indigenous legal system in Canada outside a federal framework. “We did it and our community is behind us,” said Joyce King, director of justice in Akwesasne. Criminal matters are still settled outside the territory, in federal or provincial courts. Akwesasne’s council decided to mix aspects of Canada’s justice system with Mohawk values and principles such as considering the talents of the offending party and using them to benefit the community. Cole said “a lot of people don’t like talking about things; they don’t want everyone to know about (what happened).

Source: National Post October 02, 2016 15:56 UTC