Aboriginal Resources in British Columbia

Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society
Located at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, this program acts as a diversion program which includes a healing circle with elders and general support.  They take referrals from Crown, Probation Officers, and the Vancouver Police, as well as self-referrals.  They also help with Aboriginal homelessness issues.

  • Contact: Ph: (604) 251-7200, Fax: (604) 251-7201
  • The NCCABC profiled VATJS in their 2004 Annual report.

Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society
Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice operates as a diversion program for youths in Prince George and the surrounding area.  They also run numerous other crime prevention community programs.

  • Contact: Ph: (250) 562-7298, Fax: (250) 562-7930 or visit their website.
  • You can read more about PGUAJ here.

Sto:lo Nation: Qwi:Qwelstom
An Aboriginal justice program serving the Sto:lo nation and founded on Sto:lo principles of community justice, respect, and harmony.  They operate as a diversion program and offer a healing circle and other services.  They take referrals from numerous sources including Crown’s office and self-referrals.

  • Contact: Ph: (604) 847-3299
  • An article on Qwi:Qwelstom can be read here. 

Wet’suwet’en Unlocking Aboriginal Justice
Operating since 1992, WUAJ is funded by both the provincial and federal governments.  Their goal is to rediscover and recognize traditional Wet’suwet’en justice.

Aboriginal Justice Strategy: Community-Based Justice Programs – BC
The Canadian department of justice has created a list of many Aboriginal community justice programs throughout British Columbia with a brief description of each. 

  • The list of Aboriginal justice programs can be viewed here.

University of British Columbia: First Nations Legal Clinic
This legal clinic provides 2nd and 3rd year law students that advise and represent Aboriginals under the supervision of seasoned legal professionals. 

  • Contact: Ph: (604) 687-0285; additional information available here.
  • Visit the clinic in person at: 50 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia 
The Native Courtworkers are often available at many courtrooms throughout British Columbia and are trained to deal with Aboriginal historical and cultural issues.  They also offer various treatment programs, and a web site devoted to restorative justice issues.

  • The NCCABC restorative justice site can be seen here. 
  • See a detailed list of BC restorative justice organizations here.
  • To find a local NCCABC office, follow this link.

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
With centres throughout BC, the Friendship Centres offer a host of services.  Depending on your location, the local Friendship centre can either provide for you or help you find a host of services such as counselling, drug/alcohol treatment programs, support programs for those who have experienced abuse, and more. 

  • For information on the Association and on locations and programs offered, visit their website.

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: A Guide to Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia
This publication has contact information for many Aboriginal resources throughout BC, including health services, legal assistance services, employment placement services; housing services, and others that can help in a proposal targeting various underlying problems.

  • The publication is available from the British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, here.

Vancouver Aboriginal Council 
Provides support for 35-40 Aboriginal service provider organizations throughout the lower mainland.  The Vancouver Aboriginal Council’s website provides a comprehensive list of available Aboriginal service providers in Vancouver.

  • To visit the Vancouver Aboriginal Council’s website, click the image above.  A list of available Vancouver resources can be found here.

Surrounded by Cedar: Child & Family Services
An organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting urban Aboriginal communities maintain culture and resiliency.

  • Surrounded by Cedar has compiled a directory of Victoria Aboriginal Services, available here.

Dakota West Consulting: Spirit of the People Aboriginal Support & Healing Centre Society
An Aboriginal organization based in Victoria, BC.  They have extensive knowledge on issues of Aboriginal justice and Gladue factors.

  • Contact: Ph: (250) 708 – 0377, Fax: (250) 708-0311, or E-mail:Dakota-west@shaw.ca