Arsonist seeks court approval to attend Indigenous ceremonies

A probation officer says a convicted arsonist who’s under house arrest shouldn’t be allowed to attend Indigenous ceremonies until he gets a mental health diagnosis and kicks his meth habit.

A report prepared by Damon Van Steelandt details Ernest Hart’s struggle with substance use and mental health.

“He has admitted on multiple occasions that he has used methamphetamines while on his current conditional sentence order,” Van Steelandt’s report said.

Hart has asked the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench to allow him to attend ceremonies while under house arrest. He is serving nine months after he pleaded guilty in 2025 to arson, assault, mischief and theft under $5,000 in connection to incidents in 2024 and 2025.

In an application filed to the court last month, Hart says Van Steelandt has denied him access to cultural ceremonies, including cedar baths, pipe ceremonies and sweat lodges.

Hart, who is a member of Kinosao Sipi, hasn’t been able to leave his apartment since his sentence began in November 2025 unless his probation officer approves it.

His sentence also requires him to complete addictions treatment and counselling.

Hart alleges the decision to deny him access to ceremony is “procedurally unfair, unlawful, unconstitutional and/or unreasonable in the circumstances.”

In his affidavit, Hart alleges that in February his probation officer denied him the ability to attend a ceremony in Winnipeg.

Van Steelandt told Hart he couldn’t do anything “fun” until he completed his detox program, the affidavit said.

After completing a detox program on March 10, Van Steelandt continued to deny Hart’s requests.

Hart’s submission says that is a denial of his human right to spiritual and cultural practices.

Hart’s application is supported by several affidavits from Sunshine House employees who act as his support workers. Hart had completed a transitional housing program with Sunshine House before being under house arrest.

Van Steelandt hasn’t filed a formal affidavit, but emails attributed to him in Hart’s submission shows he was willing to let Hart attend ceremonies after completing both detox and a residential treatment program.

Van Steelandt’s report notes Hart used meth after attending a detox program run by Main Street Project, which necessitated him to attend a second term of detox.

The probation officer wrote in his report, dated March 25, that once Hart is sober from meth and properly assessed, appropriate medications and counselling would be beneficial.

“This will further ensure that Mr. Hart will be successful in his future endeavours and reduce further involvement within the justice system,” Van Steelandt wrote.

The report said Manitoba Corrections assessed Hart as a “medium” risk based on his alcohol and drug abuse, “pro-criminal attitude and orientation,” family marital issues and his criminal history.

Hart’s hearing is scheduled for May 12.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca