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Strategy 3
Track 1 and Track 2

Strengthening Indigenous Capacity and Legal Services

Illustration from Sarah Jim

Ensuring the mechanisms and structures are in place to strengthen, improve, and expand legal services and justice capacity for Indigenous people.

The Challenge

Many Indigenous communities do not have the justice capacity to address critical justice issues, including the growing overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in the care of government, as well as Indigenous women and men in state custody. Many Indigenous people also lack access to culturally appropriate responsive legal services.

The Solution

BC First Nations have provided a clear mandate to BCFNJC to productively engage with the government to advance effective strategies that can achieve better outcomes for Indigenous people in the justice system, including strategies that strengthen Indigenous justice capacity and legal services. Strategy 3 ensures that BCFNJC can fulfill its roles and responsibilities in improving Indigenous justice capacity and legal services, with the proper structures in place that support the ongoing direction and guidance of Indigenous people, as well as sustained, long-term support from the government

While it is not listed as a Line of Action, Strategy 3 cites that BCFNJC will have an oversight role with respect to criminal justice system conduct, including the development of a unique process for First Nations complaints about policing services.

Learn more about the Police Accountability Unit pilot through Strategy 7: Stronger Oversight and Accountability.

Lines of Action

(4)
A
BC and BCFNJC to confirm sustained long-term support for the work of the BCFNJC in implementing this Strategy
Status in-progress
More info 00Since the signing of the Justice Strategy, Council has advocated for full funding for the implementation of the strategy in numerous forums, including with provincial and federal government partners. Part of our role in sustaining long term funding is collecting and reporting adequate data to support BCFNJC’s work, which is underway. In addition to funding, council regularly reports back to First Nation and community partners to ensure community support of the Justice Strategy.
B
BCFNJC to develop and present to First Nations a plan for the long-term roles and responsibilities of the FNJC in implementing this Strategy, and how those confirm mechanisms for the on-going direction and guidance of First Nations and proper BCFNJC accountabilities to First Nations
Status in-progress
More info 00In 2025, BCFNJC and BC executed a decision-making protocol, which calls for an implementation plan, which guides the work that is to be jointly developed.
C
BCFNJC to work with BC to develop an action plan for the implementation of the objectives of UNDRIP where it intersects with justice
Status not-started
D
BCFNJC to proactively identify and work with partner organizations to advance the implementation of this Strategy, including but not limited to the Indigenous Bar Association, Law Foundation, BC law schools, and the Law Society of BC
Status in-progress
More info 00 BCFNJC recognizes that transformative change to support implementation of the Strategy requires strong, respectful and sustained partnerships. These relationships must be grounded in the principles of Indigenous self-determination and advance the shared objectives of the strategy. To date, Council has executed a MOU with the Indigenous Justice Association, which governs the Indigenous justice programs in BC. We’re also working to advance partnerships with service providers.

Progress

BCFNJC_Presser_KWDE

Sustainable, Long-Term Core Funding Needed

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Timeline

Oct 23, 2023
TRU Law and BCFNJC sign MOU

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to promote partnership and cooperation related to the development and implementation of experiential learning opportunities for law students.

Jan. 2025
Decision-making protocol signed between BCFNJC and BC

BCFNJC and BC executed a decision-making protocol, which calls for an implementation plan, which guides the work that is to be jointly developed.

Advancing First Nations Self-Determination

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Advancing First Nations Self-Determination

Expanding a Network of Indigenous Justice Centres

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Expanding a Network of Indigenous Justice Centres