A committee of legal representatives are looking to start a First Nations court in the Hazeltons.
The Hazelton First Nations Court Committee is ready to get started immediately. However, they still need approval from Chief Judge Crabtree of the Provincial Court of BC.
“Once we hear back I think we’ll be able to set a date,” says Brooke Haberstock with the Upper Skeena Legal Assistance Society.
The plan is to have the FN court operate out of the Provincial court in Hazelton by early 2017.
Smithers Native Court Worker Louise Wilson says it will help bring restorative justice to the area.
“There is a large number of First Nations people that attend the provincial(criminal)court. And we wanted to have a court that is more comparable to First Nations people… a court that focuses on restorative justice, and is aimed at lowering recidivism rates, says Wilson.
That means the accused pleads guilty prior to their time in court, and with the aid of the community and elders, is hopefully returned to society, explains Haberstock.
“You have everyone seated around in a circle at a table and people are given a chance to speak and contribute to the accountability plan that is given for the accused person.”
It’s been three years of work for the committee collecting the stats and research they need for their proposal to Chief Crabtree. Lawyer Linda Locke with the Upper Skeena Counselling & Legal Assistance Society says a lot of those stats show a high recidivism rate.
“People keep coming back, it’s a huge cost to taxpayers,” says Locke. “This is going to be, potentially, a cost saver…and I think it’s going to help First Nations people take back what they need to take back in terms of involvement with the justice system.”
The committee has been communicating with Judge Marion Buller, who started the first First Nations court and is currently the Chief Commissioner of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry launching next month.