Where to get help

Legal Aid BC also publishes a fact sheet called "What Are First Nations/Indigenous Courts?". It was last reviewed in January 2022, so its list of courts is older than the one on this site.

At First Nations Court in New Westminster, a legal aid navigator can help you on court days.

Native Courtworkers help you understand the criminal justice process from the earliest possible stage. They work so that Indigenous people get fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive treatment before the courts.

A courtworker can connect you with legal, social, education, employment, medical, and other services. They also act as a bridge between you and the people who run the system.

At the New Westminster and Duncan courts, the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC also has case management support workers who help clients carry out their healing plans.

Call 604-985-5355 in Greater Vancouver, or toll free 1-877-811-1190 anywhere in BC. You can also email nccabc@nccabc.net.

Indigenous Justice Centres

The BC First Nations Justice Council runs Indigenous Justice Centres in sixteen communities: Burns Lake, Chilliwack, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Hazelton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Merritt, Nanaimo, Port Hardy, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, and Williams Lake. A virtual centre serves the rest of the province.

Since March 1, 2024, all Indigenous Peoples facing a criminal or child protection issue can get free legal and outreach services there, even if they do not qualify for legal aid.

Reach the Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre at 1-866-786-0081 or virtual@bcfnjc.com, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Friendship Centres

Friendship Centres are not-for-profit, Indigenous-led organizations that support Indigenous people living in urban areas and away from home. There are 24 across BC. Find the one nearest you with the BCAAFC centre finder.

A Gladue report is a detailed report for the court. It tells the judge about your life, your community, and realistic options other than jail.

Since April 1, 2021, the BC First Nations Justice Council has run the Gladue report program in BC. The usual way to ask for a report is through your lawyer. If you do not have one, the BC Prosecution Service can help submit a request for you.

Reports are written for sentencing, for reviews in First Nations Court, and for some other hearings. They are not written for bail hearings, even though Gladue principles still apply at bail.

A report can take up to 8 weeks. Asking for one is your right, but reports are never required. If you skip the report, section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code still protects you.

You can reach BCFNJC Gladue services toll free at 1-877-602-4858.

For the full picture, including common misconceptions, read the Gladue rights page.

Each of these lines is open 24 hours a day.

• KUU-US Crisis Line, Indigenous-run and BC-wide. Adults and Elders: 250-723-4050. Children and youth: 250-723-2040. Toll free: 1-800-588-8717.
• Hope for Wellness Help Line, for all Indigenous people across Canada: 1-855-242-3310, with online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
• Métis Crisis Line, for Métis people of all ages in BC: 1-833-638-4722.
• National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, for former students and their families: 1-866-925-4419.
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, Canada-wide and open to everyone: call or text 988.

These one-page sheets are made for printing, so clinic staff or family can hand them to someone who needs them.

• What is First Nations Court? One page on what the court is and how it works.
• Getting into First Nations Court. One page on how a case gets there and who to call first.
• Who can help. One page of phone numbers, in large type.