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Akwesasne’s council decided to mix aspects of Canada’s justice system with Mohawk values and principles such as considering the talents of the offending party and using them to benefit the community.

For example, if someone spray paints graffiti on a school wall and the offender is a great lacrosse player, the law stipulates the person can be ordered to teach students how to play the sport.

“It’s not just looking at penalizing,” said Bonnie Cole, Akwesasne’s sole permanent prosecutor. “That’s old thinking — that’s outside thinking.

“This law looks at the person, what offence they committed and how they can restore balance between the (offender), the victim, and the community as well.”

Women also play a big role: the director, public prosecutor and the territory’s two justices are women.

McGill University Prof. Kirsten Anker, who specializes in aboriginal peoples and the law, visited Akwesasne in May with a delegation from a Manitoba Cree community that was interested in the Mohawk system.

“It’s being looked at as a model and a source of inspiration,” she said, adding the Akwesasne Mohawks are “at the forefront in pushing the self-government envelope.”

“What’s unusual in this particular instance is that the law is not claiming to fit into the (federal) system.”

One major issue is whether Akwesasne law will be recognized by provincial and federal courts.

There are no jail terms, with sanctions based on the concept of restorative justice

Ian McLeod, a spokesman with the federal Justice Department, confirmed that talks have begun between Ottawa and the Ontario and Quebec governments to draft a framework to recognize the new legal system but he cautioned “discussions are at the very early stages.”