The BC First Nations Justice Council, in partnership with the BC Ministry of the Attorney General, introduces the Community-Based Justice Fund to advance Strategy 15 and Strategy 24 of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.
The Community Based Justice Fund has two streams of funding available to BC First Nations in the amount of $42,000 per individual community. Nations have the option to apply on their own, independently, or together with other BC First Nations as a multi-Nation application. In this case, the funding would reflect the number of communities who have agreed to apply as a whole (example: Syilx Nation applies on behalf of the 7 communities x $42,000 = $294,000). Please note: Applications must be endorsed by all BC First Nations listed on the application regardless of who will be applying on their behalf.
Stream One focuses on developing diversion-focused justice plans, fostering community dialogues, and advocating for ongoing funding, supported by planning tool kits, staff, and in-community engagements.
Stream Two aims to strengthen existing or new justice programming, promoting self-determination and enhancing justice system capacity to support community objectives.
**Regardless of application stream, the reporting requirements with this fund will be minimal.
Read more here: BCFNJC Community-Based Justice Fund- Investment Overview
Please find below the minimal reporting requirements for the funding:
Stream One: Submit a copy of the community-based justice plan for BCFNJC learning, aiming to inform the province-wide Diversion Workplan. This plan should fulfill Strategy One of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.
Stream Two: Arrange a phone call with BCFNJC staff to discuss the learnings from the justice programming enhancement. Additionally, we kindly request photos of community events or programs, as they would be greatly appreciated.
For any inquiries regarding this funding, please reach out to Christianne Kearns, Provincial Director of Community Based Healing, at christianne.kearns@bcfnjc.com.
BCFNJC Supports: We are committed to assisting you! BCFNJC has onboarded two Diversion Project Managers to support communities in your justice planning or in-person justice engagements. The Diversion Project Managers will be contacting all First Nations communities in the upcoming months.
