Guidepost

Accountability, Healing, & Transformation

In a restorative approach, people take responsibility for their behaviour and we collaboratively achieve meaningful accountability for issues, conflict, crime, and harm involving individuals, groups, and institutions.

The historic, ongoing harms and impacts of colonization and all forms of oppression are addressed. Individual and collective healing are supported.

Restorative approaches become the first response.

Peacemaking is offered within homes, neighbourhoods and organizations, and a citywide restorative justice program is accessible to all. The legal system is an option when chosen or required.

We — people, organizations and institutions — respond holistically and restoratively with those who are harmed and those who harm, as well as all those who are impacted.

The root causes and context are taken into consideration as we move toward accountability, healing, resolution and transformation.

“Restorative justice is an approach to achieving justice that involves, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense or harm to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations in order to heal and put things as right as possible.”
– (Zehr, 2015)

Healing, justice and peace promote integrity, including a commitment to truth telling in relationships and systems.

This is an active practice and takes courage. It includes being vulnerable, speaking truth, actively listening with openness, and standing up to do what is best for all — community, loved ones, self and the planet.

Accountability and healing restore our humanity and create a greater future for all.

Restorative approaches are effective and also preventative. We learn from, heal, resolve and transform conflict, harm and crime. Relationships and communities are made stronger, as is a sense of belonging.

By Dr. Evelyn Zellerer
Peace of the Circle, 2026