1. First Nations Court Prince George, BC
The goal of First Nations Court is to apply an Aboriginal perspective to sentencing using a holistic and restorative approach

2. Prince George
2016
Kamloops
2013
North Vancouver
2013
New Westminster 2006
Duncan
2013

3. First Nations Population
Approximately 5% of BC population is Aboriginal
Approximately 11% of Prince George is Aboriginal
Comparatively, only 2% in Vancouver
Prince George is considered to be the “Hub of the North”

4. First Nations Court
First Nations Court focuses on community and healing
Takes a restorative justice approach to sentencing
Focuses on healing rather than punishment

5. Sentencing Court
Person must plead guilty
Prayers/smudges
Power shift
1 table – Judge, defense counsel, crown counsel, lawyer, family, chief, elders, Native Courtworker, community resources and supports

6. Elders’ Vision of First Nations Court
Aboriginal Court, when dealing with people, does so with respect, kindness and compassion
The person is surrounded in a holistic approach, conveying the message that they are valuable, and that they matter

7. Our people are generally coming from a place of insignificance, FNC shows them they are significant
Outcome is to embrace the person and help them to restore their cultural identity

8. Overrepresentation
Aboriginal people represent 1 in 20 (5%) of the BC adult population
Aboriginal adults account for nearly 1 in 4 (24%) of admissions to provincial corrections in 2013/2014
These numbers are steadily increasing

9. From 2001 to 2011, Federal Aboriginal inmate population increased by 56.2%
Aboriginal adults in Canada is estimated to be 10 times higher than the incarceration rate of non-Aboriginal adults

10. Close to one-in-four inmates in federal penitentiaries today are of Aboriginal ancestry, yet Aboriginal-specific legislative provisions are chronically under-funded, under-utilized and unevenly applied by the Correctional Service
“In failing to fully meet Parliament’s intent, my review concludes that the federal correctional system perpetuates conditions of disadvantage for Aboriginal people in Canada,”
Correctional Investigator, Mr. Howard Sapers

12. First Nations Court New Westminster - 2006
Sits once a month
Hears criminal and related child protection matters
Arose due to changes to case law and amendments to the Criminal Code – Gladue Report
Deals with indictable offenses

13. Cknucwentn Court Kamloops 2013
Sentencing court
Held once a month, open to all Aboriginal people
Modelled after the New Westminster provincial First Nations Court and the Aboriginal Peoples Court in Toronto
It is a problem-solving court that brings full meaning and effect to Gladue using restorative justice principles and the involvement of the Aboriginal Community Justice Council

14. Cknucwentn “The place where help is given” First Nations Court, Kamloops, BC Official Dedication Ceremony August 12, 2013

15. Qwu’utsun Court Duncan 2013
Sits once a month
First Nations judge, a First Nations Crown counsel, and duty counsel
Deals with provincial court matters including bail hearings, sentencing hearings and child protection matters
Elders’ advisory panel, a group trained in the court system but with knowledge of traditions and cultural practices, has been established

16. Cost On average it costs $50,000 a year to house one inmate
First Nations Court costs an Elder honorarium of $100, this person likely would have otherwise become an inmate

17. Prince George Community Meetings
We have held 3 meetings in Prince George to gauge the community’s interest in First Nations Court
November 10, 2015
December 8, 2015
February 12, 2016
Received overwhelming community support

18. Community Support

19. Thank You