Skip to content
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • News & Stories
  • Events
Exit
  • Resource Map
  • Indigenous Justice Centres
    • Burns Lake
    • Chilliwack
    • Cranbrook
    • Hazelton
    • Kamloops
    • Kelowna
    • Merritt
    • Nanaimo
    • Port Hardy
    • Prince George
    • Prince Rupert
    • Surrey
    • Vancouver
    • Victoria
    • Williams Lake
    • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
  • About Us
    • Justice Strategy
    • Meet the Council
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Reports & Publications
    • FAQ
  • Get Help
    • Child Protection
    • Criminal Matters
    • Gladue Services
    • Filing a Complaint
    • Know your rights
    • Other
  • Resource Map
  • Indigenous Justice Centres
    • Burns Lake
    • Chilliwack
    • Cranbrook
    • Hazelton
    • Kamloops
    • Kelowna
    • Merritt
    • Nanaimo
    • Port Hardy
    • Prince George
    • Prince Rupert
    • Surrey
    • Vancouver
    • Victoria
    • Williams Lake
    • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
  • About Us
    • Justice Strategy
    • Meet the Council
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Reports & Publications
    • FAQ
  • Get Help
    • Child Protection
    • Criminal Matters
    • Gladue Services
    • Filing a Complaint
    • Know your rights
    • Other
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Resource Map
  • Indigenous Justice Centres
    • Burns Lake
    • Chilliwack
    • Cranbrook
    • Hazelton
    • Kamloops
    • Kelowna
    • Merritt
    • Nanaimo
    • Port Hardy
    • Prince George
    • Prince Rupert
    • Surrey
    • Vancouver
    • Victoria
    • Williams Lake
    • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
  • About Us
    • Justice Strategy
    • Meet the Council
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Reports & Publications
    • FAQ
  • Get Help
    • Child Protection
    • Criminal Matters
    • Gladue Services
    • Filing a Complaint
    • Know your rights
    • Other
  • Resource Map
  • Indigenous Justice Centres
    • Burns Lake
    • Chilliwack
    • Cranbrook
    • Hazelton
    • Kamloops
    • Kelowna
    • Merritt
    • Nanaimo
    • Port Hardy
    • Prince George
    • Prince Rupert
    • Surrey
    • Vancouver
    • Victoria
    • Williams Lake
    • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
  • About Us
    • Justice Strategy
    • Meet the Council
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Reports & Publications
    • FAQ
  • Get Help
    • Child Protection
    • Criminal Matters
    • Gladue Services
    • Filing a Complaint
    • Know your rights
    • Other
  • Statement

Over-representation Of Indigenous Women In Federal Prison

Over-Representation of Indigenous Women in Federal Prison

  • 05/6/22

Recent study shows, for the first time, half the female population incarcerated in Federal Prisons are Indigenous

tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Okanagan Syilx Territory, BC [May 6, 2022]: A story published in The Globe and Mail May 5, 2022, brings to light a reality that is at the core of the development of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy – the over-representation of Indigenous Peoples in the Justice System.

Ombudsman, Correctional Investigator Dr. Ivan Zinger stated as of last week, the ratio of Indigenous to Non-Indigenous women incarcerated in Federal prison was equal.

“I find it disturbing that in 2022, the most marginalized and vulnerable group in Canada – Indigenous women – make up 50% of the population in federal prisons,” said BC First Nations Justice Council Director, Annita McPhee. “Adding insult to injury, this news made headlines on a day where murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls are remembered. It provokes the thought that maybe some of these incarcerated women are survivors. Either way, it is clear we need to hold the government accountable to address this ongoing issue and the disproportionate increase of Indigenous women incarcerated.”

Strategy 11 of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy is designed to ‘bring to an end the grim reality faced by First Nations women as victims of crime’ in part by developing a First Nations Women Justice Plan.

“We need to consider the human factor of how these Indigenous women, matriarchs of our family systems, are lost in the justice system,” added BCFNJC Director Boyd Peters. “They are mother’s, grandmothers, aunties and cousins. The justice system has failed our people. As Indigenous peoples we need the resources and jurisdiction to help our people and reverse this unacceptable trend.” The BC First Nations Justice Strategy includes 23 initiatives, 14 of which guide transformation of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the justice system. For example, ensuring increased and more effective access to legal counsel, Gladue implementation, joint review of existing legislation to align with the principles of the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and more.

-30-

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]

BCFNJC_CAE_Statement-On-Indigenous-to-Non-Women-Incarcerated_May-6-2022Download

Latest News

Loading...
Press Release
05/07/25

Bcfnjc Congratulates Justice Trailblazing Staff Christina J. Cook And Katisha Paul

BCFNJC Congratulates Justice Trailblazing staff Christina J. Cook and Katisha Paul

For Immediate ReleaseMay 07, 2025 For Immediate Release May 07, 2025 BC First Nations Justice Council Congratulates Justice Trailblazing staff...
Press Release
05/05/25

Bcfnjc Stands In Solidarity With Families And Advocates Calling For A Coroner’s Inquest Into The Deaths Of Tatyanna Harrison, Chelsea Poorman, And Noelle O’soup

BCFNJC Stands in Solidarity with Families and Advocates Calling for a Coroner’s Inquest into the Deaths of Tatyanna Harrison, Chelsea Poorman, and Noelle O’Soup

With repeated failures from authorities to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, BCFNJC...
Press Release
04/22/25

Building Cultural Competency In Policing

Building Cultural Competency in Policing

For Immediate Release April 22, 2025 Building Cultural Competency in Policing:  New, Nation-Wide Training Program Created by the BC First...

Related News

Loading...
Photo by Alexis Mette on Unsplash
Statement
09/09/24

Bcfnjc Statement: Racist Resolution Proposed By Law Society Of British Columbia Members Supports Residential School And Genocide Denialism – Trust And Reconciliation Will Be Broken

BCFNJC Statement: Racist Resolution Proposed by Law Society of British Columbia Members Supports Residential School and Genocide Denialism – Trust and Reconciliation Will Be Broken

For Immediate Release September 9, 2024 Okanagan syilx Territory, Westbank BC: The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) denounces and...
Statement
12/20/22

Bcfnjc Statement On Doug White Appointment As Special Counsel On Indigenous Reconciliation

BCFNJC Statement on Doug White Appointment as Special Counsel on Indigenous Reconciliation

The BC First Nations Justice Council congratulates Kwulasultun, Doug White on his appointment as Special Counsel to the Premier on...
Statement
05/12/22

Bc First Nations Justice Council Angered By ‘non-suspicious’ Designation In The Death Of Chelsea Poorman

BC First Nations Justice Council Angered by ‘Non-Suspicious’ Designation in the Death of Chelsea Poorman

First Nations women’s justice plan in development with bigger picture social issues and justice reform recommendations considered.

Published on the traditional unceded territory of the syilx (Okanagan) Nation – more here.

BC FNJC Head Office

  • 303-1979 Old Okanagan Hwy, Westbank, BC. V4T 3A4
  • (877) 602-4858 (Toll-Free)
  • (778) 940-1520
  • [email protected]
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram

Resouces

  • Resource Map
  • Indigenous Justice Centres
  • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre

Get Help

  • Child Protection
  • Criminal Matters
  • Gladue Services
  • Legal Aid for Indigenous People
  • Filing a Complaint
  • Other
  • FAQ

About Us

  • Meet the Council
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Work with Us
  • Reports & Publications

News & Events

  • News and Stories
  • Events
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Attorney General.

PRIVACY  |  DISCLAIMER

© Copyright 2023, BC First Nations Justice Council

Website by Affinity Bridge

Quick Links

  • Indigenous Justice Centres
  • Meet the Council
  • Request for Proposals
  • Contact Us

Published on the traditional unceded territory of the syilx (Okanagan) Nation – more here.

Head Office

  • 303-1979 Old Okanagan Hwy, Westbank, BC. V4T 3A4
  • (877) 602-4858
  • (778) 940-1520
  • [email protected]
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram

PRIVACY  |  DISCLAIMER

© Copyright 2023, BC First Nations Justice Council

Website by Affinity Bridge

    Request for Gladue Report Assistance

    Best way to contact?

    If you have a lawyer and you would like us to contact them on your behalf, please provide us with their name and contact information so that we may advise them of your interest in a Gladue report:


    • Resource Map
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Burns Lake
      • Chilliwack
      • Cranbrook
      • Hazelton
      • Kamloops
      • Kelowna
      • Merritt
      • Nanaimo
      • Port Hardy
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Surrey
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Williams Lake
      • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
    • About Us
      • Justice Strategy
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Work with Us
      • Reports & Publications
      • FAQ
    • Get Help
      • Child Protection
      • Criminal Matters
      • Gladue Services
      • Filing a Complaint
      • Know your rights
      • Other
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • News & Stories
    • Events
    • Resource Map
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Burns Lake
      • Chilliwack
      • Cranbrook
      • Hazelton
      • Kamloops
      • Kelowna
      • Merritt
      • Nanaimo
      • Port Hardy
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Surrey
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Williams Lake
      • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
    • About Us
      • Justice Strategy
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Work with Us
      • Reports & Publications
      • FAQ
    • Get Help
      • Child Protection
      • Criminal Matters
      • Gladue Services
      • Filing a Complaint
      • Know your rights
      • Other
    • Resource Map
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Burns Lake
      • Chilliwack
      • Cranbrook
      • Hazelton
      • Kamloops
      • Kelowna
      • Merritt
      • Nanaimo
      • Port Hardy
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Surrey
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Williams Lake
      • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
    • About Us
      • Justice Strategy
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Work with Us
      • Reports & Publications
      • FAQ
    • Get Help
      • Child Protection
      • Criminal Matters
      • Gladue Services
      • Filing a Complaint
      • Know your rights
      • Other
    • Resource Map
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Burns Lake
      • Chilliwack
      • Cranbrook
      • Hazelton
      • Kamloops
      • Kelowna
      • Merritt
      • Nanaimo
      • Port Hardy
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Surrey
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Williams Lake
      • Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
    • About Us
      • Justice Strategy
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Work with Us
      • Reports & Publications
      • FAQ
    • Get Help
      • Child Protection
      • Criminal Matters
      • Gladue Services
      • Filing a Complaint
      • Know your rights
      • Other
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • News & Stories
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • News & Stories
    • Events