Background

The Government of Canada is committed to fundamentally transforming the relationship with Indigenous people towards one that is based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

In January 2021, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was mandated with developing, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories, an Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS) to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system. Addressing these issues is consistent with the principles regarding the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the UN Declaration), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action (TRC-CTAs), and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Final Report (MMIWG) and Calls for Justice. The Ministers of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada and Public Safety Canada have also been mandated to support this work.

In the spirit of reconciliation, and out of respect for Indigenous rights to self-determination, Justice Canada recognizes that the development of an IJS must be informed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Development of the Indigenous Justice Strategy is being informed by two streams of engagement: 1) Indigenous-led engagement being undertaken by communities and organizations with grant support from Justice Canada; 2) Justice Canada-led engagement.

This Report only includes information collected through Justice Canada-led engagements between November 2022 and March 2023.