The BC First Nations Justice Council is applauding the federal government’s release of Canada’s first National Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the Canadian justice system.

The national strategy builds on the work being done in BC by First Nations and the Justice Council, which is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples across the country to break down and remove all colonial barriers and advance the revitalization of First Nations legal orders.

The Council says they are impressed that the contents of the work mirrors much of what they have been working on in BC for five years.

The BC First Nations Justice Strategy was developed by BC First Nations and endorsed through resolutions of the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and Union of BC Indian Chiefs in 2020.

Since then, advancements include the establishment of 15 Indigenous Justice Centres across BC to offer culturally grounded legal services and wrap-around supports for Indigenous People, the creation of a specialized Indigenous Women’s Justice Plan, and the piloting of a Police Accountability Unit.

To learn more, visit BC First Nations Justice Council.