Indigenous Justice Program
The Indigenous Justice Program supports Indigenous community-based justice programs that offer alternatives to mainstream justice processes in appropriate circumstances. Objectives of the Indigenous Justice Program:
- to assist Indigenous people in assuming greater responsibility for the administration of justice in their communities;
- to reflect and include Indigenous values within the justice system; and,
- to contribute to a decrease in the rate of victimization, crime and incarceration among Indigenous people in communities with community-based justice programs funded by the IJP.
The IJP currently funds 197 community-based programs that serve over 750 communities
Specialized Victim Services of Families for Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Family Information Liaison Units
Specialized police-based victim services that provide dedicated, culturally responsive assistance to family members of missing or murdered Aboriginal women typically include Family Liaison Coordinators and Missing Person Liaison Officers.
Family Information Liaison Units are a new service for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The Units help families access available information about their missing and murdered loved ones from multiple government sources. The Units are available in every province and territory and build on the existing victim services frameworks in each region.
On June 5, 2018, the Government of Canada announced additional funding to extend the timelines for the Units. They will now be available until March 31, 2020.
Indigenous partners play a critical role in advising on processes and procedures for the Units. Provinces and territories are exploring different ways to meaningfully partner with Indigenous community and advocacy organizations in the design and delivery of services.