What is culture?
Culture is knowledge, beliefs and behaviour that are passed on to successive generations. It includes customary beliefs, spiritual forms, social forms, language, material⁵⁰ and holistic traditional healing practices,⁵¹ reflective of a relationship-based society. The traditional concept of family is not limited to the immediate family but also includes the extended family. In fact it includes those who may not be related by birth but acknowledged as family nonetheless perhaps as grandparent, parent, bother, sister, aunt, uncle or other relative.⁵²

You have a right to practice your culture and traditions without discrimination.⁵³ You have a right to practice and reconnect with your cultural traditions and customs including the preservation, protection and access to cultural sites, ceremonial objects and traditional medicine.⁵⁴

Who may deliver Aboriginal programs?
CSC may enter into an agreement with an Aboriginal community for the provision of services and programs.⁵⁵ If you and your Aboriginal community agree, the law also permits Aboriginal communities to take responsibility for the care and custody of federal prisoners. The Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge and the other healing lodges for men are sometimes used as an example of the type of arrangement that can be made under s. 81 of the CCRA.⁵⁶ An Aboriginal community could include a First Nation, Tribal Council, band, community, organization or other group with a predominantly Aboriginal leadership.⁵⁷ Additionally, programs may be provided by any of the following or in combination: Aboriginal staff, Aboriginal individuals, Aboriginal organizations or an Aboriginal Sisterhood/ Brotherhood.⁵⁸