Addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system in Nunatsiavut

On January 19, 2023, the Government of Canada announced over $1.16 million in federal funding through Justice Canada’s Indigenous Justice Program to the Nunatsiavut Government. These investments will help address the overrepresentation of Inuit in the justice system within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.

Inuit Cultural Awareness Educator

The Nunatsiavut Government will create a new position of Inuit Cultural Awareness Educator to develop and deliver a series of educational sessions to increase awareness of Inuit culture and history for criminal justice professionals working within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Inuit Cultural Awareness Educator will work closely with existing justice partners throughout the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area, including police, legal aid providers, legal professionals, judges, court officials, correctional and parole officers, and other key partners.

Through these educational sessions, the Nunatsiavut Government will help criminal justice professionals increase their knowledge and understanding of the root causes of Inuit overrepresentation in the criminal justice system and of community-led options for addressing crime.

Justice Canada is providing $193,378 over four years for this project. This funding is provided through the Government of Canada’s larger investment from the 2020 Fall Economic Statement to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system across Canada, as well as Indigenous-led responses.

The implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led responses responds to the TRC’s Calls to Action 30, 31 and 38 and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ (MMIWG) Calls for Justice 5.11, 5.15 and 5.16.

Family Violence Prevention Program

Capacity-building support for the Nunatsiavut Government’s Family Violence Prevention Program will ensure the availability of trained resources to deal with prevention and intervention of family violence in Inuit communities in Labrador. The program will provide staff with knowledge, skills and tools to work with affected and vulnerable families.

With additional support, staff will be in a better position to assist families with healing from the harms caused by family violence and moving forward in a positive way to ensure healthier, safer families and communities.

Justice Canada is providing $28,500 to support this program. This funding is provided through the Government of Canada’s larger investment from Budget 2021 to help Indigenous families navigate the family justice system and access community-based family mediation services.

Support for Indigenous families involved in the family justice system and for community-based family mediation services responds to the TRC’s Calls to Action 30, 31 and 38 and the National Inquiry into MMIWG’s Calls for Justice 1.8, 5.6, 5.11, 5.16 and 17.27.

Engagement to inform the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy

The Nunatsiavut Government will also undertake community-based engagement to inform the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy.

Justice Canada is providing $400,000 over three years to support this work, which will be done in three phases:

• During the research phase, the Nunatsiavut Government will review existing resources to obtain an overview of the issues and gaps that need to be addressed in the justice system in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. It will examine existing recommendations and potential solutions to address those gaps.
• Through a consultation phase, targeted stakeholders and communities will discuss the research phases’ findings and potential solutions to address the overrepresentation of Inuit in the justice system.
• In the reporting phase, the Nunatsiavut Government will summarize the findings of its research and consultations and present a report to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Budget 2021 provided $11 million over three years in funding to support engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations on the development of legislation and initiatives that address systemic barriers in the justice system, including collaboration on an Indigenous Justice Strategy. Support for the Nunatsiavut Government’s engagement activities is part of this investment.

The development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy has the potential to respond to the TRC’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into MMIWG’s Calls for Justice that call for federal measures to improve access to justice, and address systemic racism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Community-based justice services

The Nunatsiavut Government will also continue with the delivery of community-based justice services.

A Regional Justice Services Manager will continue to assist clients and service providers in navigating and accessing the justice system, and in identifying and supporting ways of improving the delivery of justice services in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. They will also assist individuals in accessing community-based justice services, including prevention, diversion and reintegration services.

Justice Canada is providing $547,609 over six years to support the continued work of the Nunatsiavut Government to increase access to community-based justice services.