B.C. Indigenous court relocates to better serve community

Law360 Canada (September 23, 2026, 3:43 PM EDT) -- The Indigenous court in Chilliwack, B.C., has moved as a means of getting closer to the people it serves.

The court has moved from the Chilliwack courthouse to Siyá:m Lálem, a space on Qw'oqw'elith'a (Coqualeetza) grounds owned by the Stó:lō Collective.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said Indigenous courts do their best work when elders, families, victims and community can participate.

“Together, we are making the justice system work better for Indigenous Peoples and their communities,” she said.

Indigenous courts focus on understanding the root causes of offending behaviours. Participants work with a team that includes elders, a judge, legal counsel and Native court workers or First Nations court navigators to create a healing plan shaped around them and their community.

Healing plans are intended to restore balance for the victim, the community and the person responsible for the harm, and can include cultural practices, land-based healing and ceremonies, counselling, addictions treatment and community service.

Since opening on Dec. 11, 2025, the Chilliwack Indigenous court has held one sitting a month and heard an average of 10 cases each sitting day. The court is supported by the Qwí:qwelstóm Justice Program, operated by the Stó:lō Service Agency.

People with questions can contact the Chilliwack court registry at 604-795-8350.

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