Gayle Desmeules

Gayle Desmeuels, Métis, earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and

Training from Royal Roads University with honours, holds a Q. Med,

and is a member of ADR Institute of Alberta and Canada. Skilled in

restorative resolution processes to repair harm, build social capital, and

promote good citizenship. Through her company True Dialogue,

www.truedialogue.ca, Gayle provides restorative mediation, facilitation,

training, mentorship, and consulting services.

She has a background in community development, human services,

and transformative change for building healthy workplace cultures

through restorative engagement. Recently served as an expert panel

member on the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada Restorative

Engagement Program for the Federal Public Service, see English |

Français Report on Written Submissions: English | Français

Gayle is a roster, interest-based mediator for Alberta Justice Dispute Resolution Family

Mediation Program, resolves citizen complaints concerning police misconduct, with considerable experience resolving informal and formal workplace conflicts through True Dialogue services and former roles as Manager for Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Indigenous Relations Specialist for Northeastern Child and Family Services Authority, and Alberta Community Development Facilitator.

A trainer for the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) www.iirp.edu and the Alberta Restorative Justice Association www.arja.ca. Part-time Program Manager for Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta Government, to develop a Lac La Biche Community Restorative Justice volunteer program that responds to referrals from crown prosecutors www.rjalbertacourts.ca and police pre-charge matters. To address the service delivery gap in the provision of professional RJ services for serious offenses, Gayle’s incorporated a non-profit

Restorative Justice Centre.

As a child of an Indian Residential School survivor, Gayle’s unyielding devotion to her research and practice shines through in her commitment to advancing Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Her work is a testament to her passion for addressing the disproportionate representation of Indigenous people in the social justice system.

 Published by the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare, Putting A Human Face on Child Welfare, “A Sacred Circle: Family Group Conferencing.”

 Chairs a participatory action research engagement process in Alberta to address systemic disparities and ensure cultural relevance in restorative justice services involving Metis, First Nations, Inuit, and Racialized Communities.

 National Restorative Justice Symposium volunteer planning committee and facilitated sharing circles on themed topics, such as innovative ways to use Restorative Justice to address systemic racism and social inequity.