Native Courtworker Program
Indigenous Services and Legal
Provided by Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC
Provides assistance to Indigenous people in conflict with the law, ensuring full participation in the justice system through a holistic approach including prevention and intervention.
Native Courtworker Program
Courtworkers assist Indigenous people who are involved in the criminal justice system to ensure they fully understand their rights and responsibilities before the law. Free for persons of First Nations, Métis and Inuit descent. (Common law relationships are also considered).
Courtworkers assist Indigenous people who are involved in the criminal justice system to ensure they fully understand their rights and responsibilities before the law. Free for persons of First Nations, Métis and Inuit descent. (Common law relationships are also considered).
Services include:
- Referrals to legal, social, educational, employment, medical, and other community resources to help address underlying factors related to charges. The program also helps connect individuals with appropriate supports and may follow up on referrals where possible.
- Staff may liaise between Indigenous accused individuals and criminal justice personnel to help address communication barriers and reduce feelings of alienation from the justice system. This may include providing relevant information to the court or speaking on behalf of the accused when appropriate.
- The program also helps inform justice officials about Indigenous cultural traditions, values, languages, socio-economic conditions, and community perspectives.
- Program promotes greater understanding within Indigenous communities about the criminal justice system and alternative justice processes, and supports the development of community-based justice initiatives that build local capacity to address issues before they enter the court system.
First Nations Court
Provides case management support for two First Nations Courts in British Columbia, located in New Westminster and Duncan. Case Management Support Workers liaise between Indigenous accused individuals and criminal justice personnel to help address communication barriers and reduce feelings of alienation from the criminal justice system. This may include providing relevant information to the First Nations Court and, where appropriate, speaking on behalf of the accused.
Provides case management support for two First Nations Courts in British Columbia, located in New Westminster and Duncan. Case Management Support Workers liaise between Indigenous accused individuals and criminal justice personnel to help address communication barriers and reduce feelings of alienation from the criminal justice system. This may include providing relevant information to the First Nations Court and, where appropriate, speaking on behalf of the accused.
Case Management Support Workers also help inform justice officials about Indigenous cultural traditions, historical trauma, values, languages, socio-economic conditions, and other community perspectives.
The program connects clients with community resources and supports through a wraparound service model, helping individuals carry out their healing plans. Healing plans are developed through the First Nations Court in collaboration with the Elders’ Council, Crown counsel, and duty counsel, or may be ordered by a First Nations or Indigenous Court judge as part of probation or bail conditions within the community.
Note: There are ten specialized sentencing courts in BC for Indigenous people charged with criminal offences. These courts do not conduct trials. They are courts for people who identify as Indigenous, indicate an intention to plead guilty to a criminal offence and, depending on the specific court, have Crown counsel's agreement to participate.
604-985-5355 (Greater Vancouver)
Toll Free: 1-877-811-1190 (Province-wide)
Public email: nccabc@nccabc.net
Website: https://nccabc.ca/
Cost: No cost
Associated Programs/Services
Also offered by Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC:
- Indigenous Outpatient Addiction Counselling and Detox Support
- Indigenous Detox Support Workers Program
- Native Youth and Family Advocate Program - Counselling and Support for Families Involved in Child Protection Issues
Availability
Service area: Province-wide + show cities
Service Types Provided
Indigenous Services
Ways to Access
- Provided 1:1 in-person
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.