Grants and Contributions

The objective of the Indigenous Courtwork Program is to facilitate and enhance access to justice by assisting Indigenous Persons (adults and youth) charged with an offence under any federal or provincial statute, municipal by-law, or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment. These services include information on charges, court procedures, rights and responsibilities, bail, diversion, restorative justice and Indigenous community justice alternatives; support in accessing legal resources as well as appropriate community programming including wellness, trauma, housing, family and employment services; and, facilitating communication among court officials, accused persons, family members and communities to ensure understanding and collaboration.

The Government of Yukon will work with 14 Yukon First Nations to build a family courtwork delivery model including a training manual and job description. The project will consist of a jurisdictional scan of other family courtwork programs, one in person meeting with a member of each community and other justice stakeholders, as well as a series of regular calls to ensure collaboration throughout the territory.

The Training for Virtual and Hybrid Courtworks Project will hold a virtual session of approximately 50 Indigenous Courtworkers from the Yukon, British Columbia to identify common barriers to working in a hybrid environment.

The Implementation of Case Management System Project will consist of hiring program developers to develop a secure, organized, and structured digital case management system. The case management system allows for easy input and access of information by Courtworkers to review client and court information, improve year-end reporting, and it increases client confidentiality.

The Gladue Writer Training Project will consist of a conference in October 2023 that will target MCPEI’s Gladue Report Writers. There are two components within the training: 1) a self-care component to provide culturally appropriate training in the area of vicarious trauma and 2) an education component so all writers receive the same information to improve the quality of reports. This component will also provide training on using a “Gladue library” for sustained access to quality of future reports. An Elder will be present to ensure the mental health of the report writers during the process.

The Mental Health First Aid for Courtworkers Project will consist of a Mental Health Support and Awareness workshop.

The Expanding on Indigenous Courtwork services: Cree language development in Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak territory Project will consist of mentoring and training in the basics of the Cree language so Courtworkers and their justice partners can better serve Indigenous clients and their families involved in the court process.

The Gladue Writers Project will consist of two separate three-day training opportunities for a total of 40 current and new Gladue writers. One workshop will be located on Cape Breton Island and the other will be located on the mainland of Nova Scotia. Writers will receive consistent, up to date training and tool kit to ensure reports contain accurate information.

Phase 2 will be implemented at a later date and will involve the delivery of the material to Courtworkers, clients, judges, Crown, and other justice partners.

The Mental Health First Aid for Courtworkers Project will consist of a Mental Health Support and Awareness workshop.