According to the province, the Stó:lō people in S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō territory) invited the court to work with them on creating an Indigenous sentencing court aimed at addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. The Chilliwack court will operate as a pilot Indigenous sentencing court until March 2027. Decisions about its future will be guided by discussions with Indigenous communities and justice partners.
The province says the court is intended to support community-driven approaches to justice for Indigenous people charged in the Chilliwack court’s jurisdiction or whose matters are transferred there. Indigenous sentencing courts use a restorative model that emphasizes healing and culturally informed sentencing. Elders who complete an orientation program provide guidance on a healing plan that may be incorporated into a sentence.
“Indigenous sentencing courts give Indigenous Peoples going through the criminal justice system a chance to heal and move forward in a way that respects their culture and community,” said B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma in a Dec. 17 news release.
“By working with Elders and justice partners, the court helps participants reconnect with culture and community, access supports such as counselling and housing, and reduce the risk of reoffending,” said the release.
This court’s opening follows collaboration between the Stó:lō people, local community members, service providers and numerous justice partners including the Court Services Branch, B.C.’s Ministry of the Attorney General and the B.C. First Nations Justice Council.
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