Restorative City Vancouver
diverse voices working together
We acknowledge with gratitude that we are living and working on the unceded, traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
Vancouver is becoming a Restorative City
A Restorative City expands beyond legal systems to implement restorative values, principles and practices across multiple spaces and sectors – neighbourhoods, schools, parks, housing, policing, governance and more.
A Restorative City addresses all forms of conflict, harm and oppression, and offers healing. We aim to create safety, healthy people, strong communities in vibrant, socially just environments.
It leads us toward a more interconnected city that is invested in uplifting the humanity of all people and creating respectful relations with each other as well as with the animals, land and water.
Vancouver is the first city in Canada to commit to becoming a restorative city!
We are already gaining international attention and will be featured in a forthcoming publication: “A journey around restorative cities in the world: a travel guide” (European Forum for Restorative Justice).
The Restorative Collective Vancouver is currently writing a Restorative City Framework. We offer below our preliminary vision captured by Indigenous graphic recorder Michelle Buchholz.
Restorative Collective Vancouver
Peace of the Circle has brought together an unprecedented, impressive team of diverse voices and wisdom from Indigenous-led organizations, service providers, Parks & Recreation, schools, policing, courts, corrections, business associations and more. This Restorative Collective Vancouver has representatives from over 30 organizations, and continues to evolve and grow.
We are creating a relational, holistic, decolonizing approach to conflict, harm and crime. Vancouver faces multiple crises and we are collaboratively moving toward healing, safety, justice and peace. Read highlights of our journey in 2022 and also highlights through 2023 in our blog posts.
Peace of the Circle is proud to be the coordinating host organization, with coordinator Dr. Evelyn Zellerer.
With preliminary funding from the City of Vancouver and Civil Forfeiture Grant program, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General BC.
The Collective thus far includes representatives from the following communities:
Aboriginal Community Policing Centre
Atira Women’s Resource Society
BC Community Response Networks
BIA Partnership Safety Committee (22 BIAs)
City of Vancouver
Community Courts
Corrections
Federal Crown Counsel
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
Elizabeth Fry Society
Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre
Living Interfaith Sanctuary
Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC)
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
MLAs & MPs
Protect Our Indigenous Sisters Society (POISS)
Salal – Sexual Violence Support Centre (previously WAVAW)
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House
Strathcona Community Safety Association
səl̓ilwətaɁɬ -Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA)
Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society (VATJSS)
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
Vancouver Police Department
Vancouver School Board
Victim Services
Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative
Youth Justice, Ministry of Children & Family Development
The Collective reached a consensus to work toward becoming a Restorative City
City Council passed a motion forwarded in support of our consensus on January 26, 2022 to:
- endorse the aspiration of Vancouver becoming a Restorative City
- create training opportunities for staff
- commit to having a Council representative participate in the Restorative Collective Vancouver as a stakeholder
- allocate funding
Our Restorative Collective Shared Values
Respect
Compassion
Love
Authenticity
Honesty
Integrity
Trust
Diversity
Open-minded
Curiosity
Listening
Learning
Collaboration
Accountability
Wisdom
Humility
Self-Aware
Self-Reflective
Strength-based
Empowerment
Interconnectedness, Relational
More News of our Journey thus far…
Our Restorative City Journey
Peace of the Circle is proud to be the coordinating host organization of Vancouver becoming a Restorative City, the first in Canada! In this post, we share lots of updates and highlights of our Restorative City journey so far in 2023. There is full forward momentum on...
Gaining Political Support
We are grateful for all the political leaders who are welcoming us for dialogue and partnerships. We appreciate the openness as well as understanding of our need for funding to be able to advance our work of becoming a Restorative City. A Restorative City serves us...
Building a Restorative Neighbourhood
As part of becoming a Restorative City, the Restorative Collective Vancouver came to an inspiring consensus to also build restorative neighbourhoods, another first in Canada! Peace of the Circle received a grant from Civil Forfeiture, Ministry of Public Safety and...
Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium
The Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium was held in June, hosted by Restorative Justice Association of BC. Dr. Evelyn Zellerer is proud to be a Board member. Evelyn with Norm Leech and Michael Wiebe gave a presentation about the Restorative Collective journey and...
Vancouver School District Leadership Training
We thank and congratule the leadership team of the Vancouver School District for dedicating three days of learning Peace Circles with us this spring. Dr. Evelyn Zellerer is honoured to co-facilitate with Norm Leech, an amazing Indigenous leader and Restorative...
Speaking to City Council
We continue to do outreach and build relations with our new Mayor & Council in Vancouver. The Restorative Collective had 6 speakers present to Vancouver City Council at their budget meeting February 28, 2023. Our presentations were very well received and we thank...
A Year of Restorative Justice and Beyond – 2022 Highlights
Looking back and celebrating as we powerfully move forward into 2023! In this special highlights issue, we share lots, including our journey with the Restorative Collective Vancouver toward becoming a Restorative City…
International Restorative Justice Week 2022
This month we are celebrating International Restorative Justice Week, November 20-26!
Check out many wonderful events occurring around the world…
Vancouver is becoming a Restorative City!
Restorative Collective Vancouver is celebrating and applauds the City of Vancouver! City Council passed a motion forwarded by Councillor Michael Wiebe to: endorse the aspiration of Vancouver becoming a Restorative City create training opportunities for...
Our restorative initiative has already made the news!
Restorative justice has had success both close to home and abroad. Now, a group of advocates is hoping to bring it to Vancouver in a meaningful way.
By Nathan Caddell
Restorative Justice Initiative
Months of extensive outreach led to our first stakeholders meeting with a focus on building partnerships for restorative justice in Vancouver