History in the making as the Province of BC introduces new legislation.

tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Okanagan Syilx Territory, BC [May 2, 2022]: The BCFNJC welcomes the introduction by the Province of BC of the Anti-Racism Data Act. As a first of its kind in Canada, BCFNJC is encouraged by the opportunity to collaborate with the Province and gain visibility into statistics as new justice programs and services are designed by and in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.

This preliminary step by the Province to address one component of systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples and other minority groups, will greatly assist with the work of the First Nations Justice Strategy.

“As we move forward with the Strategy, gathering data that has never been gathered before is essential to fully understanding what is driving the dramatic and unjust over representation of Indigenous People’s within the justice system,” said BCFNJC Chair, Doug White, Q.C. 

“Understanding the ‘Why’ is paramount as we move forward to dismantle the colonial laws that provided boundaries to our people and replacing them with equitable and inclusive laws developed with the involvement of the nations,” he continued.

The BC First Nations Justice strategy emphasizes the need for involvement of First Nations in creating a new justice system accompanied by non-racist laws. Self-determination of justice needs to be recognized and having the statistics to understand our path forward will be greatly appreciated in viewing the entire scope of the work ahead.

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About the BCFNJC

The BC First Nations Justice Council has been entrusted with the mandate to transform the justice system and create better outcomes for Indigenous people through implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.

The strategy, signed March 06, 2020, was jointly developed by the BC First Nations Justice Council, BC First Nations communities and the Province of British Columbia. It includes 43 actions along two paths which involve the reformation of the current system as well as the restoration of First Nations’ legal traditions and structures.

Media Contact:

BC First Nations Justice Council

Marissa Baecker
Director of Communication and Engagement
250-470-7779
[email protected]