Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - March 22 2025 - Canada's new Indigenous Justice Strategy, released on March 10, aims to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

The strategy, created with input from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis community members, organizations, and provincial and territorial governments, aims to provide access and remove overrepresentation.

However, some Indigenous justice experts are disappointed with the lack of concrete next steps.

The B.C. First Nations Justice Council, created in 2015, has had success in transforming the justice system for Indigenous people in the province.

The strategy contains specific chapters on priorities for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, focusing on reforming the justice system to better include First Nations laws and traditions, revitalizing Indigenous laws, and increasing infrastructure like housing, shelters, and transitional housing.

Christina Cook, a lawyer in B.C. and member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba, is cautiously optimistic about the strategy but hopes the implementation leads to real change.