A new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack, and $10 million for First Nations justice programs were announced Monday by Premier David Eby.

害羞草研究所淢aking our communities safer means addressing the core issues that bring people into conflict with the law and their neighbours,害羞草研究所� said Eby. 害羞草研究所淎 lifetime in and out of jail and back again doesn害羞草研究所檛 make anybody safer. We have to break that cycle.害羞草研究所�

While Indigenous people comprise only five per cent of B.C.害羞草研究所檚 population, they account for 30 per cent of those behind bars in provincial jails.

For Indigenous people in B.C., the solutions needed to break that cycle are apt to be most successful if they害羞草研究所檙e 害羞草研究所渃ulturally grounded,害羞草研究所� Eby said.

The new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack is the first in the Lower Mainland, the fourth brick-and-mortar IJC in the province, along with centres in Prince Rupert, Prince George and Merritt, and a virtual centre.

Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the St贸隇塴艒 Tribal Council said these justice centres can go a long way toward 害羞草研究所渕aking things right害羞草研究所� and St贸隇塴艒 leadership is excited by the prospect.

害羞草研究所淭his effort to support First Nations, the BC First Nations Justice Council and creating an Indigenous Justice Centre here in Chilliwack is a positive first step in making things right,害羞草研究所� Kelly said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited. Our chiefs are excited, our leaders and staff are excited, to be able to collaborate and look for ways to create safer communities, for all of us to restore balance and to make things right.害羞草研究所�

The IJCs are being set up to provide culturally appropriate information like a personalized plan, advice, supports and representation for Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice system for both criminal and child protection matters.

害羞草研究所淛ustice systems grounded in Indigenous self-determination will right the wrongs of the past and sustain safety, balance and wellness,害羞草研究所� said Kory Wilson, chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council. 害羞草研究所淚ndigenous approaches to justice, with culturally appropriate supports, hold the most promise to address the issue of over-representation of Indigenous People in the justice system. Our IJCs, supported by justice programs and workers from local nations, will move the needle and make B.C. communities safer for all.害羞草研究所�

The provincial budget of 2023 includes $44 million to expand the IJCs to 15 locations and one virtual centre over three years.

害羞草研究所淎 centre like this, in community, is where healing and real change happens. This is where we can affect decisions that prevent people from being in the system for the rest of their lives. We look forward to working with St贸隇塴艒 leadership and communities, as well as Chilliwack害羞草研究所檚 urban Indigenous community, to vision what the future holds for this IJC,害羞草研究所� said Boyd Peters, Director for the BC First Nations Justice Council.

These justice centres also aim to address the circumstances that may have led to the offences in the first place and ensure that needs such as housing, mental health and addictions treatment and employment services are addressed.

害羞草研究所淓veryone deserves to feel safe in their community,害羞草研究所� said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. 害羞草研究所淏y working in partnership with the BC First Nations Justice Council to implement changes identified by First Nations, we can help build more resilient communities and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous Peoples for generations to come.害羞草研究所�

Supporting the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy is a key part of the Province害羞草研究所檚 commitments to advancing reconciliation.

害羞草研究所淚ndigenous Peoples know their own needs. But for too long, governments have imposed their own laws, systems and values,害羞草研究所� said Kelli Paddon, MLA, Chilliwack-Kent. 害羞草研究所淲e are learning from Indigenous justice wisdom to inform a future in which Indigenous Peoples have better justice outcomes.害羞草研究所�

The 2023 provincial budget included funding for a total of 10 justice centres with the expectation there would 15 of them in operation by 2025-26.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 thrilled the Indigenous Peoples in my constituency and surrounding areas will now have access to an Indigenous Justice Centre,害羞草研究所� said Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter. 害羞草研究所淔or too long, our colonial criminal justice system has not considered the unique circumstances of the people who come into contact with it.害羞草研究所�

The First Nations Justice Strategy, signed in 2020, is a roadmap designed by and for Indigenous Peoples with 43 actions to reform the colonial justice system and revitalize Indigenous legal practices including creation of these justice centres. The strategy dovetails with B.C.害羞草研究所檚 commitments under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) to align B.C.害羞草研究所檚 laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples on a path toward reconciliation.

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