• Resource Map
  • Careers
  • Request for Proposals
  • Contact
Menu
  • Resource Map
  • Careers
  • Request for Proposals
  • Contact
  • Get Help
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Merritt
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Virtual
    • Get Legal Aid
    • Know Your Rights
    • How to Make a Complaint
    • Gladue Services
    • Resource Map
  • Justice Strategy
    • Why a BC First Nations Justice Strategy?
      • Reform the Justice system
      • Restoration of First Nations Justice Systems
    • Strategy FAQs
    • Strategy by Sector
      • Law Enforcement and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
      • Judiciary and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
      • Corrections and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
  • Gladue Services
    • Information for the Public
    • Crisis Resources
    • Gladue Report Writers
    • Judiciary
    • Defence Counsel
    • Crown Counsel
    • Corrections
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Vision, Mission, Values
      • Annual Reports
      • Logo and Story
    • Work with Us
      • Careers
  • News
    • News & Stories
    • Request for Proposals
    • Media Contact
  • Events
    • 2023 Justice Forum
      • Registration
      • 2023 Justice Forum Agenda
      • Travel and Expense Claim Guidelines
      • Travel Reimbursement Form
Menu
  • Get Help
    • Indigenous Justice Centres
      • Merritt
      • Prince George
      • Prince Rupert
      • Virtual
    • Get Legal Aid
    • Know Your Rights
    • How to Make a Complaint
    • Gladue Services
    • Resource Map
  • Justice Strategy
    • Why a BC First Nations Justice Strategy?
      • Reform the Justice system
      • Restoration of First Nations Justice Systems
    • Strategy FAQs
    • Strategy by Sector
      • Law Enforcement and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
      • Judiciary and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
      • Corrections and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
  • Gladue Services
    • Information for the Public
    • Crisis Resources
    • Gladue Report Writers
    • Judiciary
    • Defence Counsel
    • Crown Counsel
    • Corrections
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Meet the Council
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Vision, Mission, Values
      • Annual Reports
      • Logo and Story
    • Work with Us
      • Careers
  • News
    • News & Stories
    • Request for Proposals
    • Media Contact
  • Events
    • 2023 Justice Forum
      • Registration
      • 2023 Justice Forum Agenda
      • Travel and Expense Claim Guidelines
      • Travel Reimbursement Form
  • Media Release

BCFNJC Receives Funding from the Province of British Columbia to Design of Pilot Program to address Structural Factors Contributing to Indigenous Overrepresentation in the Criminal Justice System

  • 09/23/22

tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory, BC: Recommendations from an independent investigation into ‘repeat offenders’ were announced today by the Province of BC. Among these was a recommendation for the Province to fund the development of a pilot project, designed and led by the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) to address the structural factors that contribute to overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. While BCFNJC remains concerned that the investigation was conducted without disaggregated race-based data, we are pleased with the Province’s swift action in accepting this recommendation.

The pilot will be developed and, if fully funded, led by the BCFNJC Indigenous Justice Centre (IJC) in Prince George, BC which houses a diverse team committed to providing wrap-around legal services to the city and surrounding communities. Indigenous-led initiatives, rooted in Indigenous culture and laws, are the only way to build strong solutions. The BC First Nations Justice Strategy and the IJCs have the potential to be that solution, promoting diversion and offering comprehensive services to the most vulnerable Indigenous people in BC.

“We welcome the Province’s announcement as a step in the right direction” said BCFNJC Chair, Doug White. “Too often the underlying factors driving contact with the criminal justice system go ignored. Funding dedicated to better understanding these factors is limited, and the existing culturally appropriate supports and programs are insufficient. With this pilot, the BCFNJC intends to focus on harm reduction, education, and providing the necessary supports that promote diversion and healing for our people and communities.”

Ensuring that individuals can develop and maintain a personal connection at IJCs across British Columbia, but especially in Prince George, is important for ensuring that the cycle of harm is no longer repeated and that individuals can grow and heal to find safety and security in a good way.


-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.

Contact:
BC First Nations Justice Council
Communications and Engagement
Main: 778-940-1520
Direct: 236-455-0513
[email protected]

Related News

Loading...
BCFNJC Chair Doug White and Director Boyd Peters UBCIC
Media Release
06/07/22

BC First Nations Justice Council Stands in Solidarity with Sheila Poorman and Supports Full Investigation into the Death and Disappearance of Daughter, Chelsea Poorman

“It’s alarming to see that in 2022, the Vancouver Police Department rushed to judgement,” said White. “We need to be...
Media Release
05/31/22

DECRIMINALIZATION OF ILLICIT DRUGS UP TO 2.5 GRAMS IS A FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SAYS BCFNJC

The BC First Nations Justice Council is pleased with today’s announcement regarding the decriminalization of possession of 2.5 grams of...
Media Release
05/02/22

Anti-Racism Data Act Essential to Address the Needs and Develop Fair and Equitable Services for Indigenous Peoples

History in the making as the Province of BC introduces new legislation.
Media Release
04/29/22

BCFNJC and FNLC applaud Final Report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act

Now is time to push forward public safety and policing through self-determination

Quick Links

  • Indigenous Justice Centres
  • Request a Gladue Report
  • Meet the Council
  • Contact Us
Published on the traditional unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation.

Head Office

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

PRIVACY  |  DISCLAIMER

© Copyright 2022, 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:

    • Get Help
      • Indigenous Justice Centres
        • Merritt
        • Prince George
        • Prince Rupert
        • Virtual
      • Get Legal Aid
      • Know Your Rights
      • How to Make a Complaint
      • Gladue Services
      • Resource Map
    • Justice Strategy
      • Why a BC First Nations Justice Strategy?
        • Reform the Justice system
        • Restoration of First Nations Justice Systems
      • Strategy FAQs
      • Strategy by Sector
        • Law Enforcement and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
        • Judiciary and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
        • Corrections and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
    • Gladue Services
      • Information for the Public
      • Crisis Resources
      • Gladue Report Writers
      • Judiciary
      • Defence Counsel
      • Crown Counsel
      • Corrections
    • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Meet the Council
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Vision, Mission, Values
        • Annual Reports
        • Logo and Story
      • Work with Us
        • Careers
    • News
      • News & Stories
      • Request for Proposals
      • Media Contact
    • Events
      • 2023 Justice Forum
        • Registration
        • 2023 Justice Forum Agenda
        • Travel and Expense Claim Guidelines
        • Travel Reimbursement Form
    Menu
    • Get Help
      • Indigenous Justice Centres
        • Merritt
        • Prince George
        • Prince Rupert
        • Virtual
      • Get Legal Aid
      • Know Your Rights
      • How to Make a Complaint
      • Gladue Services
      • Resource Map
    • Justice Strategy
      • Why a BC First Nations Justice Strategy?
        • Reform the Justice system
        • Restoration of First Nations Justice Systems
      • Strategy FAQs
      • Strategy by Sector
        • Law Enforcement and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
        • Judiciary and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
        • Corrections and the BC First Nations Justice Strategy
    • Gladue Services
      • Information for the Public
      • Crisis Resources
      • Gladue Report Writers
      • Judiciary
      • Defence Counsel
      • Crown Counsel
      • Corrections
    • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Meet the Council
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Vision, Mission, Values
        • Annual Reports
        • Logo and Story
      • Work with Us
        • Careers
    • News
      • News & Stories
      • Request for Proposals
      • Media Contact
    • Events
      • 2023 Justice Forum
        • Registration
        • 2023 Justice Forum Agenda
        • Travel and Expense Claim Guidelines
        • Travel Reimbursement Form
    • Resource Map
    • Careers
    • Request for Proposals
    • Contact
    Menu
    • Resource Map
    • Careers
    • Request for Proposals
    • Contact