Grants and Contributions

Inuit Family Courtwork and Gladue Writer Pilot project will pilot the first dedicated resources to represent Inuit clients in Manitoba. Working through a steering committee, MIA will create a Gladue pilot writer position, family courtwork position, develop internal training manuals and operational frameworks.

Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network: Court worker mental Health and Wellness Training project will bring together 25 court service team members, including Elders and knowledge keepers for a 3-day mental health first aid training and cultural activity. The training will increase awareness, confidence and capacity of staff involved with supporting ICW clients and families involved in the court process.

The Ministry of the Attorney General, Indigenous Justice Division will hire Aboriginal Legal Services to develop a comprehensive culture-based training manual for family court workers to be used by existing and new programs across Ontario. the manual will be shared with all ICW programs in Ontario to promote consistency of service delivery.

The NCCABC will meet with internal and external stakeholders, Indigenous courtworkers, communities and clients to develop a revised strategy to raise the profile of the organization throughout the province in a changing justice environment. An independent consultant will assess the current impact of the NCCABC and develop a strategic plan to ensure NCCABC remains a strong voice for Indigenous Courtworkers and their clients for years to come.

The Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Center Inc: Enhance Court Worker Training project will focus on a three-day training for 26 Indigenous court workers across the province of Saskatchewan to improve their skills to speak to Gladue principles in criminal and family court.

Siksika Pomiikapi Justice Society: Healing our spirit – mental health training project in Alberta will focus on developing a debrief process and provide mental health and wellness training to Indigenous courtwork staff including support/Justice staff in their organization. The training sessions will be held once every other month for 5-6 training sessions for 18-25 people. Indigenous Elders will be involved in the training to provide traditional methods of healing to the staff and court workers.

The Gladue Writer Mentorship Program project will design and implement a Gladue Training Project in the Yorkton Tribal Council region. The project will train 30 Indigenous Gladue writers in order to increase the capacity within the province to produce Gladue Reports. The project will have three phases: Produce documents on the history of YTC Communities; Training of Gladue principles and report writing, and develop a Gladue mentorship Program.

Animikii Inc is an Indigenous Organization that provides website services and maintenance and was used to develop and host the Gladue Principles Website (a site used by Indigenous Courtworkers to share information and learn about Gladue Sentencing Principles).

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 justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment.

Services provided by the program include supporting the development of Gladue reports, providing 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 Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia is an Indigenous Organization that addresses the urgent and ongoing need for culturally grounded, trauma-informed advocacy and support for Indigenous families and youth involved in child protection and family law matters.
This multi-year project will: support Indigenous clients through complex legal systems with guidance, advocacy, and court accompaniment; bridge the gap between Indigenous families and government services; coordinate wraparound supports for clients; reduce legal system intimidation, and; protect Indigenous children’s rights and support family reunification where possible.
These objectives aim to reduce family separation, increase client empowerment, and contribute to systemic change in how Indigenous families are treated within child welfare and legal systems. To achieve these goals, NCCABC will hire and train staff, provide direct client and legal support, participate in legal and community education sessions, and will develop client resource pamphlet/brochures, an Indigenous family advocacy practice manual, a holistic advocacy framework for Indigenous families and a final evaluation and impact report.