The Biennial Symposium on Violence & Aggression has been a collaborative effort of Correctional Service Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, and other government, public, and academic contributors since 1986. Targeted to frontline workers, as well as clinicians and other professionals and administrators in criminal justice and forensic mental health, the Symposium translates research and theory into practice and provides an opportunity to highlight excellence and innovation within a variety of correctional and criminal justice environments.

The 21st offering will focus on “Advancing Responses to Violence” and will feature 4 plenary speakers and 12 concurrent sessions, involving more than 18 local and national presenters. Presenters will share their knowledge and experience on an array of topics including:

• Frontline Responses to Violence
• Indigenization of Justice Responses
• Current Issues in Violence

Keynote Speakers

Use of Risk Assessment with Indigenous Persons: Too Risky to Use, or Too Risky Not To? - Dr. Mark Olver (University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Keira Stockdale (University of Saskatchewan)

Moving Women Through the Justice System - Senator Kim Pate

Healthy People Build Healthy Communities - Evan Bray (The Voice of Saskatchewan -with 650 CKOM and 980 CJME)

Relevance Of, and Need For, Indigenous Programming in Prison - Dr. Justin Tetrault (Simon Fraser University)

Concurrent Sessions

Theme 1: Frontline Responses to Violence

Compassion Fatigue and Strategies for Frontline Personnel to Manage It - Shaylee Spencer 

De-Escalating Violence and Strategies for Frontline Service Providers to Sustain Work with Violent Populations - Andrea Kotlar (Executive Director, FASD Network of Saskatchewan) and Shana Mohr (Training & Programs Manager, FASD Network of Saskatchewan)

Women’s Legal Clinic - Nicole Obrigavitch (Elizabeth Fry Society) and TBD 

Theme 2: Indigenization of Justice Responses

Ten Years Since Spirit Matters: A Roadmap for the Reform of Indigenous Corrections in Canada (2023) – OCI Report - Dr. Leticia Gutierrez (Director of Policy and Research, Officer of Correctional Investigator)

Indigenous Victim Provision and How It’s Interacting with Gladue Principles + Culture as Healing - Benjamin Ralston (University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Christie Tetreault (University of Saskatchewan)

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Feasibility Study on First Nations Policing – Matt Mirasty (Ministry of Community Safety)

Theme 3: Current Issues in Violence

Wildfires and Implications for Public Safety – Chief Ken McMullen (Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs)

Risk Assessment and Parole - Amy Agar (Regional Vice Chairperson, Parole Board of Canada), Rayleen Ballard (Regional Manager, Correctional Release Programs, Parole Board of Canada), and Kelly Benson (Regional Communications Officer, Parole Board of Canada)

Restorative Justice – Marijayne Deschambeault (Saskatoon Tribal Council) and Sgt. Erica Weber (Saskatoon Police Service)

Registration for V&A 2026 will open on January 15^th, 2026.

Registration Fees - all fees are plus Taxes

Early Bird Fees - until April 24, 2026

• $550.00 Registration
• $250.00 Student

Regular Conference Registration - after April 24, 2026

• $585.00 Registration
• $250.00 Student

• Dr. Lisa Jewell (Co-Chair), Research Associate, CFBSJS
• Dr. Mansfield Mela (Co-Chair), Director, CFBSJS
• Lilani Samarakoon, Coordinator, CFBSJS
• Dr. Bryce Stoliker, Research Associate, CFBSJS
• Delphine Gossner, Director of Program Integrity and Evaluation, Offender Services, Government of Saskatchewan
• Dr. Leslie Anne Keown, Associate Professor, University of Regina
• Dr. Dena Derkzen, Senior Research Manager, Research Branch, Correctional Service Canada - National Headquarters
• Professor Emeritus Cindy Peternelj-Taylor, Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan
• Sgt. Nick Smyth, Manager, Regina Violent Crime Analysis Sections, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Dr. Natalie H. Polvi, Registered Doctoral Psychologist, Chief Psychologist, Regional Psychiatric Centre, Correctional Service Canada, Prairie Region
• Dr. Kingsley Nwachukwu, Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford
• Lindsay Wilcox, Manager, Restorative Justice Programs and Branch Services, John Howard Society of Saskatchewan