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3rd Annual BC First Nations Justice Forum
April 8 - April 10
The BCFNJC is seeking to bring together First Nations leaders, community members, Indigenous legal service providers, subject matter experts, and Indigenous justice-serving organizations for the 3rd Annual BC First Nations Justice Forum.
The 2024 Justice Forum is a free event that will take place on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations at the Westin Bayshore in downtown Vancouver. The forum will take place from Monday, April 8th, 2024, to Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.
Recognizing the significance of relationship-building, harmony, and connection, the theme for the 3rd Annual Justice Forum will be “Collaboration”. This year’s event will build upon and responds to the wisdom and insights gained from the previous 2023 Justice Forum, creating space that fosters connection between communities, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, service providers, and justice-serving organizations.
We look forward to you joining BCNFJC and the other participants in what will be a dynamic, supportive space to advance transformative justice work under the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.
For delegates who meet the necessary criteria as outlined in the application process, travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed.
All attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation to/from the forum.
3rd Annual BC First Nations Justice Forum – Program & Agenda
Day 1 – April 8, 2024
TRACK ONE: Reform of the current criminal justice system so that it is less harmful to our people
| Time | Agenda Item | Format |
| 8:00 – 9:00 am | Registration and Breakfast | |
| 9:00 – 9:15 am | Territory Welcome and Opening Prayer | Plenary |
| 9:15 – 9:30 am | Welcome and Forum Overview | Plenary |
| 9:30 – 10:30 am | Opening Remarks from the Justice Council & First Nations Leadership Council | Plenary |
| 10:30 – 10:45 am | Wellness Break | |
| SESSION ONE: INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S JUSTICE PLAN | ||
| 10:45 – 11:30 am | Celebrating the Indigenous Women’s Justice Plan (IWJP) | Plenary |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Breakout (all rooms): Implementing the Indigenous Women’s Justice Plan | Breakout |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Lunch Break | |
| SESSION TWO: POLICING, DIVERSION & LEGAL SERVICES DELIVERY | ||
| 1:30 – 2:00 pm | Community Safety, Policing & Oversight | Plenary |
| 2:00 – 2:30 pm | Presumption of Diversion – Community Justice Panel | Plenary |
| 2:30 – 3:00 pm | BCFNJC’s Journey to Service Delivery (Legal Services / IJCs / Gladue) | Plenary |
| 3:00 – 3:15 pm | Wellness Break | |
| 3:15 – 4:30 pm | Breakouts (Choose One):
|
Breakout |
| 4:30 – 5:00 pm
|
Summary of Day 1
Review of Agenda for Day 2 Giveaway! Closing remarks |
Plenary |
Day 2 – April 9, 2024
TRACK TWO: Supporting First Nations to restore and reawaken Indigenous legal orders, traditions, and structures
| Time | Agenda Item | Format |
| 8:00 – 9:00 am | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 – 9:15 am | Opening and Overview of Day 2 | Plenary |
| SESSION THREE: FIRST NATIONS LAW IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY | ||
| 9:15 – 10:30 am | Revitalizing Indigenous Law | Plenary |
| 10:30 – 10:45 am | Wellness Break | |
| 10:45 am – 12:00 pm | Breakouts (all rooms): Strategy 2 Guidebook | Breakout |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Lunch Break | |
| SESSION FOUR: FIRST NATIONS LAWS IN CHILD PROTECTION | ||
| 1:00 – 2:30 pm | First Nations Law: Child Protection | Plenary |
| 2:30 – 2:45 pm | Wellness Break | |
| 2:45 – 3:30 pm | Breakout (all rooms): Child Protection | Breakout |
| 3:30 – 3:45 pm | Summary of Day 2, Review Agenda for Day 3 | Plenary |
| 3:45 – 4:00 pm | Closing Remarks from Council & Giveaway | Plenary |
| 4:00 – 5:30 pm | Free Time | |
| Honouring Our Accomplices: Ceremony & Feast – Evening of April 9, 2024 | ||
| 5:30 – 6:00 pm | Arrival and seating | Dinner |
| 6:00 – 8:30 pm | Opening Prayer and Ceremony
Dinner & Entertainment – Coastal Wolf Pack Closing |
Dinner |
Day 3 – April 10, 2024
| Time | Agenda Item | Format |
| 8:00 – 8:30 am | Breakfast | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 am | Strategy 16: “Tracking Justice” The impacts of the work of BC First Nations Justice Council, First Nations Leaders, the Province of BC and various collaborators. Working on a two-track system:Track 1 – Reform the criminal justice system and Track 2- Restore First Nations legal traditions. |
Plenary |
| SESSION FIVE: TRIPARTITE COLLABORATION | ||
| 9:00 – 9:45 am | Ministers Panel – BCFNJC’s Tripartite Relationship and Commitment to Collaboration | Plenary |
| 9:45 – 10:00 am | Overview of the workshops | Plenary |
| 10:00 – 11:30 am | Workshops:
|
|
| 11:30 am – 12:00 pm |
|
Plenary |
| 12:00 pm | Adjournment | |