Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft

PDF Version

This document reflects the information gathered during Wave 1 and Wave 2 of Justice Canada-led engagements on an Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS), as well as information provided by 38 federally-funded Indigenous groups. It is meant for discussion purposes only.

Vision

Acknowledging that Indigenous understandings of justice are rooted in healing, wellness, balance and community, the IJS is a framework to revitalize Indigenous laws and legal systems and implement reforms to meaningfully address systemic discrimination and to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in contact with the Canadian justice system through ongoing cooperation and collaboration.

Goals of the Indigenous Justice Strategy

• Self-determination: to support Indigenous peoples’ exercise and full enjoyment of their rights to self-determination and self-government, including increasing their involvement in developing, maintaining and implementing their own jurisdiction, laws, governing bodies, programs, and services in the areas of justice and public safety.
• Access to justice: to reduce barriers to justice and provide more Indigenous-led, culturally safe, trauma-informed, justice supports for Indigenous persons navigating the Canadian justice system.
• Justice as wellness: to recognize and reflect Indigenous understandings of justice, such as the need to restore individual and collective wellness.
• Administration of justice: to advance the priorities of Indigenous communities to reclaim jurisdiction over the administration of justice in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and support and fund the revitalization of Indigenous laws, legal systems and traditions.
• Collaborative relationship: to recognize and reflect that regular, meaningful, good-faith, and ongoing collaboration between Indigenous, provincial, territorial, and federal governments and justice practitioners is necessary to effect long-term and sustainable positive change.
• Long-term, and predictable funding: the IJS acknowledges that Indigenous communities require access to ongoing, long-term, and stable financial resources to fulfil their roles and responsibilities as governments and ensure their citizens’ wellbeing and ability to thrive.
• Accountability: the IJS recognizes that Indigenous peoples have the right to hold the Government of Canada to account in meeting the goals of the Indigenous Justice Strategy.

Proposed Strategic Initiatives: Short, Medium and Long-term

The actions outlined below reflect recommendations received from participants in the IJS engagement and are for initial discussion purposes only.

Justice Canada acknowledges the distinct realities and needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across the country. Applying and implementing agreed-upon actions would be done in close partnership with Indigenous communities, provinces and territories. This would ensure that these measures respect cultural and geographic differences, as well as the unique circumstances of Elders, women, youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and urban/rural-dwelling Indigenous people. As the development of a final IJS progresses, action items will continue to be identified and prioritized through ongoing collaboration with First Nation, Inuit and Métis partners.

Shared Priority Action