Expanding a Network of Indigenous Justice Centres

“Our four Indigenous Justice Centres – one in Prince Rupert, Prince George and Merritt as well as a virtual centre – provide vital legal services to underserved communities.  These centres are on the frontlines of justice reform and assist with criminal and child protection matters.  For Indigenous clients, the legal advice and representation they receive can be life-changing.”

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

The goal of the Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre (VIJC) is to provide no-cost legal services to Indigenous clients living in under-served areas of the province where access to legal advice or representation is difficult or non-existent.

In 2022 – our initial “pilot” Indigenous Justice Centres were evaluated by an exteranl 3rd party.

The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) confirmed partnerships with access to justice specialists CALIBRATE and Indigenous capital projects design firm Reimagine Gathering to support the opening of five Indigenous Justice Centres (Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Surrey and Nanaimo).

Indigenous Peoples will have access to better legal supports and healing opportunities with the opening of a new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack and $10 million in funding to support First Nations’ community-based justice program.

Robert Gladstone – Chief of Shxwhá:y Village hosted BCFNJC Council members and Staff in the recently built Cultural Centre to share a meal, stories, and to build trust and relationships in circle with BCFNJC and the community.

BCFNJC created and adopted a new Indigenous Justice Centre model with an expanded effort to provide more focus on wrap around supports.

A monumental achievement, clients begin receiving services in Kelowna, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo as part of the 5 new regional Indigenous Justice Centres that opened during BCFNJC’s rapid expansion.

All Indigenous Peoples, regardless of whether they qualify for legal aid, can access free legal and outreach services if they are facing a criminal or child protection issue. Get free help at one of our Indigenous Justice Centres in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey, Kelowna, Prince George, Merritt, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack or through our Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre.

Through community engagement, data, and needs assessments conducted by BCFNJC, six new and additional IJC sites have been identified and the collaboration with communities in  Fort-St. John, Burns Lake to Hazelton, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Port Hardy, and Cranbrook have begun.

More Indigenous people have access to community-based spaces and free, culturally safe legal services with the opening of six new Indigenous Justice Centres by the end of the year.

“Expanding the network of IJCs across the province is a powerful undertaking that will ensure Indigenous people have the services they need to not only navigate a complex, often discriminatory justice system. The IJCS support Indigenous people to remain connected to their community and traditional ways of healing and justice,” stated Kory Wilson, BCFNJC Chair.