Addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system in British Columbia

WILLIAMS LAKE, BC, May 25, 2022 /CNW/ - Advancing reconciliation requires dealing with both systemic racism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system. Supporting culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led and community-based justice services is key to making systemic change Canadians know is necessary.

Today, Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Taleed Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, and Violet Fuller, Executive Director of the Yeqox Nilin Justice Society (YNJS), announced funding to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system and provide community-based justice services to Indigenous peoples in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected Indigenous communities, and its impacts will continue to be felt for years to come. Indigenous communities across Canada have seen an increase in addiction and mental health issues and homelessness—factors known to contribute to higher rates of crime and incarceration.

To address the overrepresentation of Indigneous peoples in the justice system in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, the YNJS is launching Gladue Aftercare services that focus on implementing healing plan recommendations from Gladue Reports and Indigenous Court proceedings. These services include support services such as counselling, sessions with Elders and cultural activities. With additional support for Gladue Aftercare services, the YNJS will be better equipped to assist more individuals and provide increased access to culturally-informed justice processes.

The YNJS also provides justice services that promote traditional approaches to justice and peacemaking, including restorative justice processes, youth and adult support services and victim services. Continued support for these services is critical in promoting traditional, culturally appropriate justice processes within Indigenous communities.

To support the YNJS' work, Justice Canada is providing a total of $984,538 over 5 years in funding through its Indigenous Justice Program. This includes $409,750 over 5 years in funding to support the provision of Gladue Aftercare services, $74,788 over 3 years in program integrity funding to support the increased demand for community-based justice services, and $500,000 over 5 years for the continued delivery of community-based justice services to First Nations in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region in British Columbia.

A portion of this funding is provided as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to increase the application of Gladue principles in the criminal justice system in order to help address the systemic factors that contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples—a commitment that is echoed as a key initiative to address systemic racism in the criminal justice system in the Government of Canada's Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. This investment also supports the Government of Canada's efforts to advance reconciliation in Canada and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) Calls to Action.

Quotes

"Resiliency is reviving our traditional healing by empowering our people. The Gladue Aftercare is a new funding opportunity for Yeqox Nilin Justice Society that will allow us to build up our resources and and have the funds to cover honorarium for knowledge keepers, healers, counsellors, and other expenses such as travel and meals for the clientservices. This gives our clients more of an opportunity to find the resources needed to build their healing plans and be successful when going through Indigenous Court."

Violet Fuller,Executive Director
Yeqox Nilin Justice Society

 "Indigenous peoples are alarmingly overrepresented in Canada's criminal justice system. By providing support for Indigenous justice services, such as Gladue Aftercare, we are helping bring systemic change to address this unacceptable reality. Funding to Indigenous-led community-based justice programs will support our efforts improve access to justice and fairness in our criminal justice system, and help advance our work to respond to the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people."

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick Facts

• The YNJS serves the First Nations people from the Tsilhqot'in and Ulkatcho Nuxalk Dakelh Nations, located in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region in British Columbia. They strive to strengthen traditional approaches to justice and peacemaking.
• To help reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system, the Government of Canada's 2020 Fall Economic Statement invested $49.3 million to support the implementation of Gladue principles in the justice system across Canada, as well as Indigenous-led responses. Support to the YNJS for their Gladue Aftercare services is part of this larger investment.
• The implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system responds to the TRC's Calls to Action 30, 31 and 38 and the National Inquiry into MMIWG's Calls for Justice 5.11, 5.15 and 5.16.

Associated links

• Yeqox Nilin Justice Society
• Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
• 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
• Call for Proposals: Systemic change informed by Gladue Principles to address Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system
• Fall Economic Statement 2020: Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19
• Indigenous Justice, Recognition and Reconciliation
  

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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

For more information, media may contact: Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Violet Fuller, Executive Director, Yeqox Nilin Justice Society, 778-412-9536, [email protected]