Latest news with #BCFirstNationsJusticeCouncil
Toronto Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
BC First Nations Justice Council Opens an Indigenous Diversion Centre on Lheidli T'enneh territory (Prince George, BC)
Lheidli T'enneh Territory, Prince George, BC, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) opens the doors to the Indigenous Diversion Centre (IDC) on Lheidli T'enneh territory, commonly known as Prince George. The IDC is the first of its kind in Canada, hosting an innovative pilot program that will divert Indigenous people from criminal justice system involvement and instead offer pathways to accountability, healing and support. 'Standing up BC's first Indigenous Diversion Centre, in Lheidli T'enneh territory, is a milestone achievement in the advancement of Indigenous-led justice reform. The BC First Nations Justice Strategy, under Strategy 1, has a presumption of diversion as a core justice value that can break harmful cycles, decrease Indigenous representation in jails, and help Indigenous people access culturally appropriate supports and resources. We hold up First Nations and Indigenous communities, the justice partners, and the collaborators for supporting a clear pathway to this work. Our team is dedicated and ready to work hard to realize the success of these programs.'—Kory Wilson (Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla), Chair, BC First Nations Justice Council
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
BC First Nations Justice Council Opens an Indigenous Diversion Centre on Lheidli T'enneh territory (Prince George, BC)
Lheidli T'enneh Territory, Prince George, BC, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) opens the doors to the Indigenous Diversion Centre (IDC) on Lheidli T'enneh territory, commonly known as Prince George. The IDC is the first of its kind in Canada, hosting an innovative pilot program that will divert Indigenous people from criminal justice system involvement and instead offer pathways to accountability, healing and support. 'Standing up BC's first Indigenous Diversion Centre, in Lheidli T'enneh territory, is a milestone achievement in the advancement of Indigenous-led justice reform. The BC First Nations Justice Strategy, under Strategy 1, has a presumption of diversion as a core justice value that can break harmful cycles, decrease Indigenous representation in jails, and help Indigenous people access culturally appropriate supports and resources. We hold up First Nations and Indigenous communities, the justice partners, and the collaborators for supporting a clear pathway to this work. Our team is dedicated and ready to work hard to realize the success of these programs.'—Kory Wilson (Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla), Chair, BC First Nations Justice Council With financial support offered through Public Safety Canada's Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF), the IDC now offers a post-release diversion program that follows an indigenous ceremonial modality that focuses on the root causes of offending by providing a caring cultural environment where true rehabilitation and healing can occur. The IDC houses a trauma-informed multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals who will support IDC participants in conflict with the law avoid the revolving-door of arrest, prosecution and incarceration. The IDC serves First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults residing in Prince George in two streams: Post-Release Diversion Program Individuals who are released from a correctional centre can struggle to reintegrate, without dedicated supports and a sense of belonging. Indigenous adults who are leaving Provincial and Federal correctional facilities and have plans to reside in Prince George are welcome at the Centre to access our wide range of services and supports. The post-release program is now open. Pre-Charge Diversion Program (coming soon) In partnership with Prince George RCMP, the program will divert Indigenous people from being charged with an eligible offence and instead offer enrollment in the program. The staff will develop an individualized 90-day Diversion Plan where participants commit to a set of activities in order to have their charges dropped. Working with a dedicated social worker, participants can advance their long-term healing goals beyond the 90 days. The pre-charge diversion program will open in the Fall of 2025. Indigenous Diversion Centre Activities Include: The Indigenous Diversion Centre is located at 1475 10th Avenue, Prince George, BC. More information can be found online here. While the centre is now open with the post-release program running, IDC staff are planning for a formal grand opening, with a community open house in the Fall of 2025 to coincide with the launch of the Pre-Charge Diversion Program. -30- Quick Facts ABOUT THE BCFNJC The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) was created by the BC Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs who together form the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC). BCFNJC represents BC First Nations on justice-related issues to bring about transformative change to the legal system. BCFNJC is guided by the unique and comprehensive BC First Nations Justice Strategy (the Strategy) which was jointly developed by the BC First Nations Justice Council, BC First Nations communities and the Province of British Columbia. The Strategy advances 25 individual strategies along two tracks of change: reforming the current criminal justice system and restoring Indigenous justice systems, legal traditions, and structures. Today, BCFNJC is an expanding non-profit organization guided by the vision and voices of Indigenous leadership, including our Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Our team members, who have diverse professional, cultural, and community expertise are working hard to implement the Justice Strategy and advance Indigenous self-determination over justice. With the direction and support of First Nations communities, work will continue to transform the mainstream colonial justice system and champion innovative, Indigenous-led justice solutions. Visit Tracking Justice for more information. Attachments
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
BC First Nations Justice Council Congratulates Justice Trailblazing staff Christina J. Cook and Katisha Paul
Unceded & Ancestral Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh & səlilwətaɬ Nations, Vancouver BC, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For Immediate Release May 07, 2025 The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is proud to celebrate and extend our heartfelt congratulations to BCFNJC staff members Christina J. Cook (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation) and Katisha Paul (W̱ JOȽEȽP and Lil'wat). On May 05th, Christina was appointed by BC Attorney General Niki Sharma with the esteemed King's Counsel (K.C.) designation. This honour recognizes exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession in British Columbia, and Christina's appointment reflects a career of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to justice for Indigenous Peoples. Christina Cook has long been a trailblazer in advancing Indigenous legal perspectives and empowering the next generation of legal professionals. Currently the Managing Policy Lawyer at BCFNJC, her leadership includes serving as an elected bencher for the Law Society of BC and as chair of the Canadian Bar Association BC (CBABC) Aboriginal Lawyers Forum. Through her work with the BCFNJC and her involvement in national legal initiatives, she continues to shape policy and mentor Indigenous lawyers, advocating tirelessly for a more inclusive and culturally grounded justice system. On May 02nd, Katisha Paul (W̱ JOȽEȽP and Lil'wat) was elected UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus Co-Chair at the 2025 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). In her role as Co-Chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, Katisha is tasked with coordinating and facilitating dialogue among Indigenous youth from across the globe. Katisha, currently a Policy Analyst at the BCFNJC and elected youth representative for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, is a powerful voice for Indigenous youth. BCFNJC looks forward to seeing her voice amplified at a global scale to ensure the voices of Indigenous youth voices are centered in decision making. 'The Justice Council is thrilled to see BCFNJC staff being recognized for their outstanding achievements as justice policy trailblazers. Christina's appointment as King's Counsel is not only a recognition of her legal excellence and service but also an affirmation of her advocacy for Indigenous voices within the legal profession,' stated Kory Wilson, BCFNJC Chair. 'Similarly, we hold up Katisha for stepping into another leadership role for Indigenous youth. We are honoured to work alongside Christina and Katisha and celebrate these well-deserved accomplishments. We celebrate these First Nations policy and legal professionals and trailblazers changing the justice landscape for the better.' Council is pleased to see others recognize these two extraordinary individuals, Christina and Katisha, whose contributions continue to inspire and advance Indigenous legal and policy excellence across the province and beyond borders. Attachments
