An Indigenous Justice Centre is set to open in Fort St. John, fulfilling the BC First Nations Council’s commitment to establish 15 such centres across the province.
This new facility is among six centres announced today by Attorney General Niki Sharma in partnership with the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC).
“I am grateful to all our partners in delivering services that help build resilient communities and improve our justice system,” said Sharma.
The centres address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Peoples in the justice system. They provide clients with culturally appropriate legal representation, advice, and support at the community level, regardless of whether they qualify for legal aid.
They primarily focus on criminal law and child protection issues, but also facilitate supports for housing, mental health and addiction treatment, and employment services.
The opening of the centres fulfills a framework laid out in the BC First Nations Justice Strategy to advance reconciliation under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. They also play a role in the Province’s Safer Communities Action Plan.
“It is incredible to reflect on what First Nations, the BC First Nations Justice Council, and the Province have collaboratively achieved—a network of 15 Indigenous justice centres across B.C.,” said Kory Wilson, chair, BCFNJC.
The latest findings by Statistics Canada show that Indigenous people are over-represented in Canadian adult prisons. In British Columbia, despite being nearly six percent of the population, they represent 36 percent of provincial jail inmates, according to the province.
The first nine centres opened last year and have assisted in more than 2,000 cases after the province designated $44 million toward the initiative in 2023.
The official opening date for the centre in Fort St. John is yet to be announced.