Expanding a Network of Indigenous Justice Centres

The Challenge

For many Indigenous people, navigating the colonial justice system is a challenging, isolating, and frustrating experience that can negatively impact all areas of an individual’s life, from mental health to housing and employment. In addition to high rates of incarceration and justice system involvement, Indigenous people experience many challenges in accessing legal supports and services that are culturally appropriate, responsive, and that recognize and address the impacts of intergenerational trauma.

The Solution

BCFNJC has been actively working on the establishment and operation of 15 IJCs across the province. IJCs are safe and welcoming spaces in the community that offer culturally appropriate justice services to support Indigenous people with their interactions in the colonial legal system. IJCs provide service delivery at the “case” level as well as engagement and justice solution development at the community level. As justice issues do not exist in isolation, each IJC also provides wraparound supports to connect people to housing, diversion, safety, treatment, and restorative justice programs.

IJCs will also house legal aid and Gladue services, which are integral to Track 1 of the Strategy. IJCs will also provide a strong foundation for Track 2 work as they can be spaces to work collaboratively with First Nations to develop justice solutions, expand services, and revitalize First Nations legal orders.

Depicted by the three tule-mat tipi structures to represent community, IJCs bring back decision making into the hands of people, providing support both to individuals in their interactions with the justice system, and to communities seeking to expand and improve their justice infrastructure.

Lines of Action

(1)

Establish a network of 15 Justice Centres across British Columbia

Status in-progress

Progress Stories

Intertwining Kinship & Justice

Timeline

2020

Four IJCs opened (Merritt, Prince George, Prince Rupert and Virtual IJC)

“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

2021

Virtual IJC Service Model Launched

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.

Learn More

2022

IJC Evaluation

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

Jan 2023

5 Regional IJC locations announced

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).

June 12th, 2023

Chilliwack Indigenous Justice Centre Opening Press Event

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.

Summer 2023

Chilliwack IJC celebrated the new services at a community feast hosted by Shxwhá:y Village

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.

Nov 2023

New IJC Service Model

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

Dec 2023

5 New Regional IJCs Begin Operating

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.

Mar 2024

Indigenous Justice Centre Eligibility Update

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.

Learn More

Mar 2024

6 Additional IJC Locations Announced

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.

Oct 2024

Call for Accomplices: BC First Nations Justice Council Offers New Opportunities to Join Groundbreaking Indigenous Justice Centres

As more Indigenous Justice Centres open across BC, BCFNJC invites those who whose hearts and minds align with ours to join us and work with First Nations leaders and communities to advance first-of-its-kind, transformative justice work.

“It is important to know that when you join our IJCs we are doing things differently, outside the framework of a conventional law firm. Our work is holistic, rooted in healing and restoration. With each client we serve, we know that we serve their family, their loved ones, their communities, their Nations – we are all connected and the work of our IJCs transcends a single relation or individual.” states Chief Kirsten Barnes, IJC Clinical Director at BCFNJC.

Oct 2024

BCFNJC Announces the Locations of 6 New Indigenous Justice Centres in BC

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.

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