tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory – January 20, 2022 – Today was an exciting day for the BC First Nations Council! This morning, our chair, Doug White, participated in a media conference along with federal Minister of Justice, David Lametti, and Attorney General for BC, David Eby, to announce the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, as well as funding to support Indigenous Justice Centres in British Columbia.

“This memorandum of understanding and funding commitment is a critical first step but much work still remains. We have a long road ahead of us but we also have a strong First Nations strategy to guide us and partners who support us. We look forward to working with both the federal and BC provincial government to transform the justice system for Indigenous peoples.”

Doug White, Q.C.
Chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council

The Indigenous Justice Centres provide culturally appropriate legal information, advice, support and representation directly to Indigenous peoples at the community level. Through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program, the Government of Canada will provide $8.9 million over five years to the BCFNJC as it continues to support and expand the number of Indigenous Justice Centres in BC. This funding will also support the BCFNJC’s Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre, a unique web-based platform that allows for the delivery of remote legal services to Indigenous peoples across the province.

To learn more, please read the full joint news release here.