Alberta provincial court releases Indigenous Justice Strategy
Alberta's provincial court has announced a plan outlining ways it can better serve Indigenous people.
The Indigenous Justice Strategy announced Wednesday by Chief Judge Derek Redman follows two years of discussions with First Nations and Métis leaders, as well as legal groups.
"The one thing that we did not want was another report," Redman said. "What we wanted was an action document."
It includes 20 measures such as ensuring judges and staff have a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous history, heritage and laws, as well as establishing Indigenous cultural practices in courthouses and courtrooms where appropriate.
The strategy incorporates some steps the court had already been taking, Redman said.
He said the strategy is meant to address the lack of access Indigenous people have to the courts, the lack of confidence they have in the justice system, the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in pre- and post-trial custody and the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care.
It also aims to address several calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, such as ensuring lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training and providing more support for Indigenous programming in halfway houses, parole services and relevant services to inmates.
Meetings are to be held annually between court leadership, leaders of Treaties 6, 7 and 8, and leaders of the Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis settlements to maintain relationships and address community needs.
Redman said this was the strategy's most important measure.
"I think it begins with relationships and learning," he said.
Redman's advisers on the strategy included three Indigenous judges who emphasized the importance of education.
"The court needs to be educated about the needs, the history, the culture of Indigenous persons," he said. "We do a lot of that, but we are challenging ourselves to do it in a more thoughtful, comprehensive way."
The announcement comes two days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Redman, who was appointed as Chief Judge in 2020, is from Lethbridge, Alta., and has been practising law since the early '80s.
The Calgary Indigenous Court was established in 2019, encompassing many of the steps included in the Indigenous Justice Strategy.
The provincial court in Edmonton has been operating its Indigenous courtroom since the spring but will hold an official ceremony on Friday morning.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.