Media Advisory - Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth convenes "Feathers of Hope" youth forum on First Nations representation on juries

THUNDER BAY, ON, November 14, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 100 youth from First Nations communities across Ontario will meet to discuss the under representation of  First Nations people on juries and the impact on the justice system. The "Feathers of Hope: Justice and Juries" forum will be held from November 17-20, 2014.

This forum is being held at the request of the Ontario Juries Review Implementation Committee which is charged with implementing the recommendations outlined in the report First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries, an independent review led by former Supreme Court Justice, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci.

Youth participants will share their experiences and ideas for improving First Nations representation on Ontario juries, and propose meaningful solutions to address current barriers in the judicial system and jury selection process.

At the end of the forum, youth will present their ideas during a listening table attended by First Nations leadership and representatives from government, the police, legal, social services and other sectors.

The opening ceremony and the closing, listening table will be available as a live-stream via the Provincial Advocate's website at: http://provincialadvocate.on.ca/main/en/jj_forum/jjvideo.cfm

The "Feathers of Hope: Justice and Juries" forum also marks the 25^th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which was signed on November 20, 1989.

What:	"Feathers of Hope: Justice and Juries" Youth Forum
When:	Official opening ceremonies on November 18^th from 9-10:30 am
	Closing listening table on November 20^th from 1-5:00 pm
Who:	Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
	Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief and co-chair of the Ontario Juries Review Implementation Committee
	Georjann Morriseau, Chief of Fort William First Nation
	Harvey Yesno, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
	Youth Amplifiers, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
Where:	Best Western Nor' Wester Hotel and Conference Centre
	2080 Hwy 61, Thunder Bay ON P7J 1B8
	Thunder Bay, Ontario

SOURCE: Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

or to arrange an interview, contact: Eva Lannon & Associates, 416.300.9721 or [email protected]