Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of British Columbia"

NationTalk: VANCOUVER – More Indigenous people will have access to culturally safe, Indigenous-led legal supports and services with five new Indigenous Justice Centres (IJCs) now operating in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna. “Making our communities safer means addressing the core issues that bring people into conflict with the law and their neighbours – a...

Jaime McKinley, office administrator of the Chilliwack Indigenous Justice Centre. Photo by BC First Nations Justice Council Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: It wasn’t until Amanda Carling, a Métis from Red River, sat down in her law class at the University of Toronto that she realized the racist underpinnings of the profession she’d entered.  “Not...

INDIGENOUS JUSTICE CENTRES Photo: BCFNJC Indigenous residents in Kelowna will be able to access “culturally appropriate justice services” by the end of this year. Earlier this week, the BC First Nations Justice Council announced five new Indigenous Justice Centres that are being built across the province, in Kelowna, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo. The council says the...

Department of Justice Canada: lək̓ʷəŋən Lkwungen (Lekwungen)/ Victoria, B.C. Dismantling systemic racism and discrimination from our justice system and revitalizing Indigenous legal traditions will benefit everyone in Canada. A justice system that improves public safety and community well-being while addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples is something that all Canadians can be proud to...

Department of Justice Canada – Announced of the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) between BC, Canada and BC First Nations Justice Council to support the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, as well as funding to support Indigenous Justice Centres in British Columbia. The parties have committed to work together...

The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs (Nation/Huwilp) and the government of BC and Canada have signed the Gitanyow Governance Accord. The accord provides a path forward in the B.C. Treaty process toward full self-government. Led by the restored Gitanyow hereditary governance system....

Prince George Citizen: Williams Lake Indigenous Court will have its first sitting at the Elks Hall following a virtual soft opening Friday, Dec. 11. Yeqox Nilin Justice Society has worked towards establishing such a court within the Williams Lake area for the past six years. The specialized court does not conduct trials, but provides collaborative...

The latest of these courts under development is on northern Vancouver Island, led by the Gwa’sala-`Nakwaxda’xw First Nations in partnership with the RCMP, local Crown counsel, judges and other stakeholders. The court plan is queued for final review by the Judicial Council of B.C. in January...

Indigenous justice centres have recently opened in Merritt, Prince George and Prince Rupert. While each centre offers unique supports tailored to the local Indigenous community, individuals are able to access: legal advice and representation for criminal and child protection matters; advocacy and support in dealing with agencies such as the police and Ministry of Children and...

Hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding with B.C. and Canada that sets the path for negotiations on legal recognition of their title to 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory. Effective immediately, the MOU commits Canada and B.C. to recognize that rights and title are held by house groups within the Wet’suwet’en...

Wet’suwet’en leaders have invited Ms. Bennett and Mr. Fraser to sign the MOU on May 14. Wetsu’wet’en Hereditary Chiefs issued a statement: “The Dinï’ze and Tsakë’ze have had several clan meetings, including meetings in person, and virtual meetings with clan/house members, band council members, youth, elders, people close to home and those far away. The...

The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) and the Province endorsed and signed a new First Nations Justice Strategy. The BCFNJC’s action is supported by resolutions from the BC Assembly of First Nations, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the First Nations Summit. The First Nations Justice Strategy sets a path for the partners...

Attorney General David Eby issued the following statement in support of the new Indigenous court in Williams Lake. “The Province is working with Indigenous communities to establish Indigenous courts throughout British Columbia. These courts offer alternative sentencing options that honour traditional cultural practices, support rehabilitation and acknowledge the impact the person’s actions have had on...

The new Indigenous court in Prince George had its grand opening. The court will focus on rehabilitation and giving fairer representation for Indigenous persons, with Lheidli T’enneh elders being involved in the final decisions. “To have elders involved in the process, to have recognition of some of the legacy of colonization, and how that impacts...