Introduction

Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc (TAYFFI) is a Black-led Registered Charity that provides tailored program and support services for individuals, youth, and families from visible/ethnic minority groups and vulnerable communities in Saskatoon and Area towards becoming engaged and contributing members of the society.

The Foundation offers bespoke services that addresses equity and opportunity for Black communities in education, employment, economic, and professional development.

In alignment with its mandate and strategic goals, TAYFFI promotes inclusive participation, advances active social engagement, and advocates for equitable economic outcomes for Black communities and ethnic minority groups in Saskatoon and Area. The organization serves as a conduit for Saskatoon Black Canadian Alliance Network, a forward-thinking action group focused on mobilization of knowledge and growing engagement among Saskatoon diverse Black communities, leaders, and allies for the advancement of Black excellence while advocating for equitable socioeconomic outcomes for Black Canadians.

The Foundation responds to community needs through impact-driven engagement and coordinates consultation to foster a socially cohesive, and civically engaged society where everyone’s potential is allowed to blossom.

In June 2023, the Department of Justice Canada in supporting a Ministerial mandate letter commitment to develop Canada’s Black Justice Strategy invited Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc (TAYFFI) to consider taking on a contract as part of the development of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy (the Strategy). In line with the project statement of work, TAYFFI was to help inform the development of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy by conducting a series of in-person and virtual engagements and consultations with individuals, professionals, and community members within the Saskatchewan’s diverse Black community, some of whom who could potentially be victims, offenders, and actors in the criminal justice system. The purpose was to gather inter-generational perspectives on their experience, encounters with, and perception of the different phases and issues in the Canada’s criminal justice system to support the prioritization of strategies and initiatives to effectively address current and emerging issues and concerns.

The report is organized into the following key sections: a discussion of methods and approach used to gather, analyze, and theme input received through the engagement; a presentation of issues and concerns raised by participants on different topics under consideration; suggested actions from the results; key findings based on aggregate data; actionable commentaries and recommendations specific to the context of Saskatchewan Black justice strategy, and key conclusions from the engagement.