Reconciliation efforts 

Over the years, the Court has worked to build stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, and to better understand the history, experience and circumstances of Indigenous peoples. 

Highlights of this work

Relationship building

Judges from the Court have met with Indigenous groups and organizations to talk about Indigenous courts, restorative justice<p><span lang="EN-US">A response to crime involving the offender dealing directly with the victim and representatives of the community to come up with ways to repair the harm caused by the crime and make amends.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>, and issues facing Indigenous youth and adults in the criminal justice system and child protection<p><span lang="EN-US">The area of law dealing with the safety and well-being of children and governed by BC’s </span><span lang="EN-US">Child, Family and Community Service Act </span><span lang="EN-US">or Indigenous child protection laws</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> systems. 

Education

Judges take part in training with Indigenous court Elders and education for judges has included topics related to Indigenous justice, history, cultures, and the systemic factors experienced by Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Courts

The Court operates ten Indigenous sentencing courts that reflect Indigenous cultures and practices to support better outcomes. The Court’s Aboriginal Family Healing Court Conference provides Indigenous parents in child protection cases with support, connections to Elders and a culturally safe environment at case conferences.

Indigenous laws 

In 2024, the Cowichan Tribes became the first Indigenous community in BC to enact their own legislation and court rules to resume authority over child and family services for its people. They designated the Provincial Court in Duncan to be used when court orders are needed. 

Other Indigenous communities have re-asserted jurisdiction over child and family services through coordination agreements with provincial and federal governments. Some Indigenous communities have designated the Provincial Court to be used to enforce orders.

Court proceedings

The Court has accepted invitations from the Ahousaht First Nation to sit in their Flores Island community and from the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation to sit in a conference centre created from the gymnasium of a former residential school.

Circuit courts

Judges travel to remote Indigenous communities through circuit courts. These visits improve access to justice, help build relationships, and allow the judiciary to learn from local Indigenous Peoples. This understanding helps the Court use restorative justice, healing, and reconciliation approaches in its work.

Reflection

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation the Court reflects on how we can carry out our commitment to reconciliation.

Image

This work is ongoing

Some of the initiatives planned for 2026 under the Reconciliation Framework include:  

• Creating an information page for judicial officers and Integrated Justice Services staff that provides Indigenous justice resources 
• Adding a link to the BC First Nations Justice Council’s map of Indigenous programs and services across the province to the information page for judicial officers and this webpage
• Hearing Indigenous peoples’ views, and the national conversation, on the terminology used for Gladue Reports 
• Encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to apply to join the Court
• Developing cultural competency and education programs for judicial officers and Integrated Judicial Services staff

Image