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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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ADMISSION PROCESS
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STAFF
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SECURITY
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HOUSE RULES
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PROGRAMS
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REFERRALS ON A NEEDS BASIS
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COELS ALSO OPERATES
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION
The Circle of Eagles Lodge is a community residential
facility, which provides care and custody to Aboriginal
men conditionally, released from the federal institutions.
This facility seeks to emphasize pride and self-responsibility
for the aboriginal peoples.
Circle
of Eagles Lodge provides a comfortable environment,
safe shelter, supportive staff and recreational
amenities including a television, and pay phone
on the main floor and on the second floor. Rent
is not required and meals are included.
House
rules are to be followed in order to ensure that
the rights of all brothers are respected, and
all brothers must display initiative in changing
their lifestyle into a productive one. All those
living at Circle of Eagles are expected to be
either working, or to be seeking employment and/or
educational opportunities.
Circle
of Eagles Lodge is located on East Broadway between
Clark Drive and Woodland Drive in Vancouver. Public
transportation, either by bus or skytrain, is
easily accessible. The urinalysis testing center
(Gardell) is located nearby at Boundary and Kingsway,
which makes public transportation to and from
the center quick and convenient. The house provides
transportation to the urinalysis center.
The
house has eight single bedrooms; two have double
occupancy and two are semi-private rooms. As of
1999, the capacity of the house is to a maximum
of 16 brothers. The basic household facilities
include one full kitchen, 1⁄2 bathroom on
main floor, two additional bathrooms (each with
a shower and bathtub) on each floor, a washer
and dryer on the main and 2nd floors.
ADMISSION
PROCESS
Institutional Visits: The Executive Director and
Counselor make regular visits to the Native Brotherhood
clubs within the eight institutions. This allows
for contact with its members. The staff They also
conduct individual interviews when a brother is
applying for residency - this allows time for
some counseling and to share the expectations
of the society. Support at parole hearings may
also be provided. In the past the society has
not turned down an individual who requires assistance.
The doors are open to those on statutory release,
and even to those who may have reached warrant
expiry. The staff provide pick up when a brother
is released to the Lodge.
STAFF
The staff at Circle of Eagles Lodge consists of
six full time employees, as well as three part
time employees and three casuals. A Spiritual
Advisor conducts weakly sweats, while another
Spiritual Advisor provides one on one couseling.
An Elder conducts pipe ceremonies on a monthly
basis. Another Elder from the Coast Salish Nation
works with the Canoe Healing Journeys.
The
director is responsible for the operation of the
house, as well as for interviewing and screening
potential brothers. The financial administrator
provides accounting services and help with other
necessary tasks, which enable the house to function
efficiently.
The
staff assist with the reintegration of offenders
into the community (either traditional or contemporary)
by helping them to build confidence, obtain further
education, improve working skills, and overcome
substance dependencies. Although the house-supervisors
are responsible for providing the evening meals,
brothers are responsible for preparing their own
breakfasts.
To
ensure that the rights of brothers are respected,
the staff is responsible for enforcing the rules
and regulations of the house and for ensuring
that all operations within it are running smoothly.
SECURITY
The house is an alarmed facility that is supervised
on a twenty-four hour basis and is monitored by
cameras on each of the three floors.
HOUSE
RULES
House rules at Circle of Eagles include the following:
Curfew
times: From the date of admission, all new brothers
must spend three full days inside the house for
orientation. After this, curfew is from 11:00
p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12:30 a.m. Friday
and Saturday. The alarm system is activated at
curfew hours.
Brothers
must sign in and out in the logbook, indicating
their destination. Brothers are also required
to report to the house at 5:00 p.m. each day.
Alcohol
and drugs are prohibited on the premises.
The
National Parole Board (NPB) may grant weekend
passes, and if permission is granted, they will
be issued after four weeks of residency. One weekend
pass is granted after one month, two after two
months, etc. After four months passes will be
provided every weekend providing no problems occur.
Brothers
attend A.A. and N.A. meetings in the community;
Guests
are to leave by 11:00 p.m. and are not allowed
upstairs.
Smoking
is permitted in the common areas of the house
only.
All
brothers must be awake by 7:00 a.m. and prepared
for the day by 8:00 a.m.
All
brothers must attend 5:00 p.m. each day for dinner
and house count.
PROGRAMS
In-house programs offered at Circle of Eagles
include: Sweat Ceremonies on Wednesday for men,
a community Sweat on Sunday; and one-on-one alcohol
and drug counseling; Getting It Straight-Returning
Home; Pipe ceremony last Thursday of each month;
escorted movie night once a month, escorted pool
games and bowling; Drumming; Monthly video rentals
Community
Activities include: The use of Community Centres
for recreational and Leisure time. Attending Pow-Wow
Nights on Tuesdays and West Coast Cultural Night
on Wednesdays at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship
Centre. Attend sweat or special cultural gatherings
organized by Institutional Elders within his own
community.
REFERRALS
ON A NEEDS BASIS:
United Native Nations – The Aboriginal Community
Career Education Services Society offers the following:
Job Placement Services
Fast
Track to Employment
Business Development
GED Preparation
Job Search Facilities
Resource Centre
Urban
First Nations Adult Education Program –
Traditional Parenting Skills
Native
Education Centre – Academics
Association
of First Nations Women have assisted in advocating
on family issues.
Hey-way
Noque Addictions Services.
Vancouver
Native Health
Luma
Native Housing
There
are a number of other Aboriginal organizations
in Vancouver that brothers can be referred to.
CSC
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS – Brothers are referred
to these programs generally through the parole
officer.
CIRCLE
OF EAGLES LODGE SOCIETY ALSO OPERATES:
ANDERSON LODGE HEALING CENTRE FOR ABORIGINAL WOMEN
- Beds will be offered to Correctional Services
Canada to house Aboriginal Women conditionally
released from the federal system.
Young
Eagles Healing Lodge provides adjudicated beds
to Aboriginal Youth 13 to 18 years old who are
court ordered.
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