Nunatsiavut: Addressing the overrepresentation Indigenous peoples in the justice system
NAIN, NL, Jan. 19, 2023 /CNW/ Promoting reconciliation means supporting Indigenous-led, community-based, culturally-appropriate justice services and building policies that are informed by Indigenous peoples’ lived experiences. These are crucial to systemic changes in our justice system.
Today, Honourable David Lametti (Minister of) Justice Attorney General of CanadaGary Anandasangaree (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice Attorney General of Canada?, and Johannes LampeNunatsiavut’s President, announced funding for the rehabilitation of Inuit who are underrepresented in the justice system of the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.
These investments will allow the Nunatisavut government to implement new measures as well as continue to deliver key, culturally-appropriate, community-based justice services for Labrador Inuit.
Justice Canada Provides over $1.16 Million Through its Indigenous Justice Program, to support Nunatsiavut Government’s efforts to reduce the overrepresentation Inuit in the justice process. This includes:
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Inuit Cultural Awareness Teacher: $193,378 The creation of an Inuit Cultural Awareness Educator took over four years. It was created to improve the knowledge and understanding criminal justice professionals about the root causes of Indigenous underrepresentation in criminal justice and community-led strategies for addressing it.
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Family Violence Prevention Program, Nunatsiavut Government $28,500 In capacity-building funding to ensure that trained resources are available to help with the prevention and intervention in family violence in Inuit communities Labrador
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Engagement on the Indigenous Justice Strategy $400,000 Support for Inuit-led participation to help with the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy.
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Services of justice that are community-based: $547,609 Support the Nunatsiavut Government’s ongoing efforts to improve community-based justice services.
The commitments made in the document include addressing the systemic causes of Indigenous people’s overrepresentation and systemic racism in the justice systems. 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan And the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. Today’s announcement also supports Canada’s Reconciliation efforts Canada Respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ (TRC) Calls to Action. These investments align with the guiding principles and the Inuit Nunangat Policy.
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“Inuit-led Justice Services are integral to the Overrepresentation of Inuit In.” NewfoundlAnd and Labrador’s justice system. The Nunatsiavut government’s culturally relevant programs and services are essential in the transformation of Labrador Inuit’s access to the justice system. I am writing to you on behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government. Justice Canada These initiatives are funded by the government. They will help to tackle systemic racism as well as other factors that contribute towards Indigenous people’s underrepresentation. Canada’s Justice system
Johannes Lampe
Nunatsiavut President
“Indigenous people are alarmingly underrepresented in Canada’s justice system. We are supporting community-based Indigenous justice services and Indigenous-led engagement in the development an Indigenous Justice Strategy. This is a step towards bringing about systemic change. The Nunatsiavut government’s work is an important component of a national effort that addresses systemic discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and improves access to justice.
The Honourable David Lametti P.C. Q.C. M.P.
Minister Justice Attorney General of Canada
“Collaboration and partnership are essential to progress reconciliation and transform relationships between Indigenous peoples (and the justice system) and is vital for advancing reconciliation. The Nunatsiavut government is an important partner in these efforts, and in creating safer, more vibrant Labrador Inuit communities.
Gary Anandasangaree
Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Justice Attorney General of Canada
Quick facts
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2020-21: While Indigenous people accounted for 32% of federal prison inmates, they only made up 5% of the general population. Sources: Statistics Canada’s Population and Demography Statistics and Office of the Correctional Investigator.
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The Government of Canada is supporting the larger efforts to eliminate systemic racism and ensure a better future for all Canadians. Canada We have made changes to improve the efficiency and safety of our criminal justice system. You can find more information here November 17, 2022Former Bill C-5 received Royal Assent. This bill repealed mandatory minimum penalties that had most contributed to the overincarceration Indigenous, Black, and racialized people. Conditional sentence orders were made more readily available (commonly called house arrest) and encouraged the increased use of diversion programs to simple possession of drugs.
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The Indigenous Justice Program supports Indigenous community-based programs that provide alternatives to mainstream justice in the appropriate circumstances. These programs can be implemented at any stage of the justice system, including prevention, diversion, or reintegration. The IJP:
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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada
See original content http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/19/c8475.html