Two new Indigenous Justice Centres (IJC) are open to serve northern BC.
Today (Thursday), the province announced the opening of the Burns Lake and Hazelton centres, bringing the total number of centres to 15.
“I can’t say how pleased I am that our partnership with the First Nations Justice Council and local First Nations have brought such great success in such a short amount of time,” said BC Attorney General Niki Sharma.
The Burns Lake location opened in the former FYi Doctors location on Highway 16, with the one in Hazelton within the Gitksan Wet’suwet’en Education Society.
“Our ICJs understand the importance of our culture, laws, and ceremonies as they are at the heart of our communities,” said Vice-Chair of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council Boyd Peters.
“And that is why our services are not only geared towards providing legal support but reconnecting people back into their communities.”
Also announced were four other locations including one in Williams Lake and a virtual option covering the entire province.
While services are fully available at the Burns Lake and Hazelton locations, they differ from other centres by sharing a single lawyer.
This includes wraparound services including access to an elder, and help finding further supports.
“Each centre is unique, offering legal support to meet the local community need and vision for legal services,” said Sharma.
“They are developing their services based on the need, strength, and support already available in each community and most importantly, they’re helping to revitalize indigenous legal traditions and structures.”
The Hazelton location opened on Tuesday with Burns Lake opening yesterday. (Wednesday)
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