Self-determination. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples’ exercise and full enjoyment of their rights to self-determination and self-government, including facilitating and increasing their involvement in developing, maintaining and implementing their own jurisdiction, laws, governing bodies, programs and services in the areas of justice and public safety. The revitalization of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture, language, institutions, laws, customs, and practices are essential for safety, prevention, rehabilitation and healing.
Collaborative relationship. The Indigenous Justice Strategy recognizes and reflects the importance of regular, meaningful, good-faith and ongoing collaboration between First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and representative organizations, and provincial, territorial, and federal governments, to effect long-term, transformative and sustainable positive change.
Distinctions-based approach. The Indigenous Justice Strategy contributes to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) by taking a distinctions-based approach. The Indigenous Justice Strategy respects the diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis laws and legal systems, the self-determined needs and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and representative organizations, as well as the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people interacting with the Canadian justice system. A distinctions-based approach includes acknowledgement that Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners have a unique relationship with Canada and provinces and territories as a result of their Modern Treaties, which must guide Treaty Partners approach. A distinctions-based approach also acknowledges that, as described in the UN Declaration, Indigenous peoples have the right to participate through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures.
Justice as wellness. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to advance transformative measures that respect and support First Nations, Inuit and Métis understandings of justice, including the need to restore individual and collective wellness.
Holistic approach. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to advance First Nations, Inuit and Métis self-determination by embracing understandings of justice grounded in First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, customs, laws and legal systems and institutions. The Strategy includes a focus on the revitalization of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, societies, families and relationships and advocates for holistic approaches to justice aimed at addressing the root causes of violence, injustice and the need to restore individual and collective wellness. This includes an acknowledgement of the different perspectives related to histories, places and relationships with lands and environment, which are central to many Indigenous legal systems and concepts of justice.
Strength based, trauma-informed, culturally safe and appropriate intersectional approach. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to uphold the dignity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in their interactions with the justice system and all preventative, rehabilitative and healing services and supports. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to recognize the unique circumstances of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people with intersecting identities, including seniors, women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, noting this requires distinct cultural care and healing to reduce rates of recidivism. First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and representative organizations are best positioned to provide such cultural care and healing. The Strategy takes into consideration the specific needs, experiences, identities, abilities and knowledge of these individuals and communities and will seek to take an inclusive and intersectional approach that considers the social determinants of intersecting identities.
Access to justice. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to reduce barriers to justice and provide more Indigenous-led, culturally safe and appropriate, trauma-informed, justice supports for First Nation, Inuit and Métis people navigating the Canadian justice system. The Indigenous Justice Strategy recognizes that the drastic overrepresentation of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in the Canadian criminal justice system is a crisis that requires a transformational approach to access to justice.
Administration of justice. The Indigenous Justice Strategy seeks to advance the priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to reclaim jurisdiction over the administration of justice in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and revitalize First Nations, Inuit and Métis laws, legal orders, legal institutions, legal systems and traditions.
Long-term, and predictable funding. The Indigenous Justice Strategy acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and representative organizations require access to ongoing, long-term and stable financial resources in order to fulfil their roles and responsibilities and ensure peoples’ wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Accountability. The Indigenous Justice Strategy acknowledges that accountability is key in meeting the transformative goals of the Indigenous Justice Strategy. Actionable and sustained implementation of the Indigenous Justice Strategy should include co-developed evaluation tools and frameworks that reflect First Nations, Inuit and Métis ways of knowing, understanding and healing.
