The Aboriginal Justice Strategy

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) is composed of community-based justice programs that are cost-shared with provincial and territorial governments, and capacity building activities to support Aboriginal communities’ involvement in the local administration of justice.

Objectives:

• To contribute to decreasing rates of crime and victimization in Aboriginal communities operating AJS programs;
• To assist Aboriginal communities to take greater responsibility for the local administration of justice;
• To assist Aboriginal communities to provide better and more timely information about community justice programs funded by the AJS;
• To reflect and include relevant Aboriginal cultural values in Canadian justice administration.

Key Activities

The AJS supports four types of alternative justice activities and programs at the community and regional level, cost-shared with the provincial and territorial governments:

• Diversion or alternative measures;
• Community sentencing circles and peacemaking;
• Mediation and arbitration in family and civil cases; and
• Court/community Justice Program

AJS programs supported to date have been managed by First Nations and Tribal Councils, community groups, urban Aboriginal coalitions, Inuit hamlets, Métis Organizations, and other non-profit organizations.