Indigenous Justice Strategy
Read the Indigenous Justice Strategy, setting out a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories to ensure positive and lasting change in the Canadian justice system.
The overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system is a serious and complex issue rooted in systemic racism and the legacy of colonialism.
In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, Justice Canada developed an Indigenous Justice Strategy which includes First Nations, Inuit and Métis chapters identifying specific strategies and actions to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in contact with the justice system and to support the revitalization of Indigenous laws and legal orders. Given their key role and jurisdiction in relation to the administration of justice in Canada, this work was also done in collaboration with provinces and territories.
Completed
Current stage
Yet to occur
Current status
Pre-engagement
Indigenous-led and Justice Canada-led engagement
Reporting and development
Validation and finalization
Release of the Indigenous Justice Strategy
Learn more about consultation, cooperation and engagement in the development of the Indigenous Justice Strategy
Read the Indigenous Justice Strategy and other publications that informed its development
Overview of the development phases and next steps for implementation of the Indigenous Justice Strategy
Answers to frequently asked questions about engagement on and the development of the Indigenous Justice Strategy
Indigenous Justice, Recognition and Reconciliation
Additional information on Department of Justice initiatives
Latest news
- March 10, 2025: Canada’s first federal Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation in the Canadian justice system
- February 8, 2025: Implementation of Historic Agreement Takes Another Step Forward with Agreement on Funding for Corrections Programs and Community Services Rooted in Teslin Tlingit Culture and Values
- November 28, 2024: Funding to support Indigenous-led projects in the Yukon
- March 12, 2024: Funding for Indigenous-led projects in Toronto, Ontario, to address overrepresentation in the justice system
- March 6, 2024: Funding to increase access to justice for racialized inmates in Nova Scotia
- January 15, 2024: New funding announced to increase access to justice for racialized communities in British Columbia
- December 13, 2023: Supporting Indigenous-led justice and victims services in Six Nations
- November 23, 2023: Helping vulnerable youth involved in the criminal justice system reintegrate into their communities
- November 1, 2022: Engaging with Indigenous partners to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation in the Canadian justice system
- October 11, 2022: Addressing the overrepresentation of Red River Métis people in the justice system in Manitoba
- August 25, 2022: Tripartite Collaborative Technical Table on the Enforcement and Prosecution of First Nations Laws – Co-Chairs Report: Year One (May 2021–May 2022)
- July 6, 2022: Canada, British Columbia and the BC First Nations Justice Council continue to advance Indigenous justice priorities in British Columbia
- June 22, 2022: Addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system in Québec
- January 20, 2022: Canada, British Columbia and the BC First Nations Justice Council to collaborate on revitalizing Indigenous legal traditions and addressing systemic racism in British Columbia
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