2024-25 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 5.1 - 5.24: Justice

Engagement and negotiations in 2024–25 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2024–25:

• Ontario Collaborative Table
• British Columbia Treaty Enforcement of Laws Group
• Labrador Innu
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• New Brunswick Common Table on Justice and Community Safety
• Wolastoqey Nation
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

The Administration of Justice Agreements respond to Call for Justice 5.1 by supporting systemic reforms that enable Indigenous communities to develop and implement their own justice systems. These agreements promote Indigenous self-governance and self-determination by creating formal mechanisms to revitalize and enforce Indigenous laws. Justice Canada's role in supporting administration of justice negotiations ensures that community-identified priorities guide the development of legal systems that reflect Indigenous legal orders and practices.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by systemic discrimination benefit from AJAs through the development of restorative, trauma-informed justice approaches that prioritize safety, healing, and cultural continuity. These agreements allow communities to develop legal responses that reduce reliance on colonial justice systems and improve access to culturally appropriate justice services.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal systems and laws.
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities.
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice.
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, youth, and Elders to shape justice reforms.
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous laws into broader justice frameworks.

Budget 2021 committed $8.1 million over five years (through 2026–27) to support the negotiation and implementation of Administration of Justice Agreements. Ongoing funding of $1.7 million has also been secured to support future work. To date, $6.4 million has been allocated toward advancing this initiative.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.1 by identifying concrete actions to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system, including as victims, accused, and offenders. Developed through extensive engagement and co-development with Indigenous partners, the strategy incorporates priorities grounded in the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples and draws on decades of recommendations from national inquiries and commissions. These include the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the Public Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal People. The strategy advances access to justice, alternatives to incarceration, and the revitalization of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions, while promoting equitable participation in justice system transformation across jurisdictions.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through the development of culturally appropriate, community-based responses that address the root causes of involvement with the justice system. By supporting Indigenous-led approaches to justice that reflect community needs and uphold Indigenous legal traditions, the strategy contributes to the development of more effective and accessible justice mechanisms. These efforts work to reduce systemic barriers and create conditions in which Indigenous Peoples—particularly women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people—can access justice in ways that are safe, respectful, and informed by their rights and experiences.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.3 by engaging a diverse range of Indigenous voices in its development, including women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, elders, youth, and individuals with lived experience in the justice system. The strategy explicitly acknowledges the need to address systemic discrimination within the justice system, particularly in relation to gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. Through inclusive engagement processes and targeted consultations, the strategy identifies measures to improve justice responses that are culturally safe, trauma-informed, and responsive to the distinct experiences of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. These measures support the development of reforms that recognize the intersecting impacts of colonialism, racism, sexism, and homophobia within the justice system.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by gender-based violence benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its commitment to inclusive policy development and justice reform. By prioritizing engagement with those most affected by violence and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives that reflect lived realities, the strategy contributes to justice system responses that are more accessible, equitable, and accountable. These efforts strengthen the capacity of Indigenous communities to design and implement safety-focused, culturally grounded approaches that respond to both individual and systemic harms and support the long-term goal of reducing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

In fiscal year 2024–25, Public Safety Canada made progress toward the development of legislation recognizing First Nations police services as essential:

• Indigenous-led engagement: Public Safety Canada provided funding to the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI) to lead targeted engagement on the proposed elements, which set out the policy intent of a future legislation. ILDI facilitated 10 regional in-person sessions and one national online session in February and March 2024.
• Incorporation of feedback: Based on input gathered during ILDI's engagement, Public Safety revised the proposed elements. These were:
  • Shared with First Nations participants on September 27, 2024.
  • Posted publicly on Public Safety Canada's website on November 1, 2024.
  • Presented at numerous forums throughout fall 2024.
• Ongoing consensus-building: Throughout the year, Public Safety Canada continued technical discussions with First Nations experts, police services, and governance councils, as well as provinces and territories, to build consensus on the scope of a federal legislation.

These activities, as well as taking active measures on program reform, demonstrate Public Safety Canada's ongoing commitment to supporting First Nations police services as essential services.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.4 by working toward the recognition of First Nations police services as essential services through the co-development of a federal legislation. The engagement process has emphasized First Nations leadership and inclusive participation to ensure that future legislation reflects the lived realities and priorities of First Nations themselves.

Families, survivors, and First Nations would benefit from a future legislation aimed at supporting equitable funding for First Nations police services and First Nations police governance bodies, while respecting the roles and responsibilities of First Nations and provinces/territories. By formally recognizing First Nations police services as essential services, the initiative aims to support greater safety, self-determination, and culturally appropriate police services for First Nations.

• Recognizes First Nations police services as essential: Establishes the Government of Canada's role towards funding First Nations police services as essential services.
• Builds capacity for public safety and justice reform: Advances culturally appropriate, community-informed approaches to policing rooted in First Nations governance.
• Supports healing and safety for families and survivors: Aims to support First Nations police services that are responsive to the needs of First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Budget 2021 allocated $26.1 million over five years across all distinctions.

The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.4 by supporting Indigenous communities in developing and implementing their own safety interventions. The initiative empowers Indigenous organizations and communities to design projects that promote safety by prioritizing well-being, healing, and culturally-grounded approaches. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by gaining greater control over safety and well-being interventions that reflect their cultural traditions, priorities, and self-determined needs.

• Strengthening Indigenous self-determination: Funds the implementation of culturally appropriate safety measures that align with Indigenous communities' values.
  • Example: In 2024-25, funding was provided to Ka Ni Kanichihk for their Building capacity and culturally appropriate supports to ensure women and gender-diverse folks can find safety at Velma's House project. Opened in March 2021, Velma's House is Winnipeg's first safe space for women and gender diverse peoples. Funding in 2024-25 allowed for Ka Ni Kanichihk to expand their wrap-around, culturally relevant programming and supports on a 24/7 basis. Activities included providing in-house elders and knowledge keepers to guide programs, developing a lived-experience committee to guide operations and programming, and training of staff on mental health first aid, conflict resolution, crisis management, and harm reduction. Lastly, funding also went towards the purchase of a vehicle to transport Velma's House participants to land-based healing activities safely. Total funding is $4 million over four years (2022-23 to 2025-26).
• Reducing dependence on law enforcement: Promotes alternative approaches to safety that do not rely on policing.
  • Example: In 2024-25, funding was provided to Elsipogtog First Nation for Indigi-Watch, a project that aims to create and deliver community safety and well-being cultural supports to Elsipogtog and the surrounding unceded Mi'kmaw territory. A community safety and well-being Indigi-Watch patrol was created to ensure a culturally safe environment by providing mental health interventions, securing emergency transportation, and assisting members in accessing on-reserve health, education, and social services. Total funding is $3.8 million over four years (2022-23 to 2025-26).
• Addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people: Funds programs focused on the unique safety needs of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
  • Example: In 2024-25, funding was provided to the Minwaashin Lodge for their Indigenous Women's Support Centre project. The Indigenous Women's Support Centre provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence. Funding went towards hiring a Family Systems Navigator to support Indigenous women fleeing partner violence by helping them navigate social and legal systems, housing, counselling, and cultural supports. In addition, funding went towards the purchase of a van for safe transport of women and children for food pick-ups. Total funding is $420,000 over four years (2022-23 to 2025-26).

The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative has allocated $120 million over five years (2021-26) to support community-led safety projects across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations, including urban-based Indigenous organizations.

In fiscal year 2024–25, Public Safety Canada continued implementation of expanded federal funding commitments under FNIPP in collaboration with provinces and territories. The year focused on stabilizing existing agreements, expanding the number of funded communities, and addressing the operational needs of self-administered police services.

A total of 84 projects received support through the program this fiscal year, including 83 in First Nations communities and one in an Inuit community. Of these, 19 projects were newly funded for existing First Nations communities served under FNIPP, while 64 First Nations projects, and one Inuit project were carried over from previous fiscal years. Additionally, 42 First Nations projects and one Inuit project were completed during the year.

Funding for new First Nations projects totaled $112,581,321; continuing First Nations projects received $106,007,506; and the Inuit project received $43,483,277. The Royal Canadian Mounted Policing (RCMP) received $72,567,916 for the delivery of dedicated policing to a First Nation or Inuit community to supplement the level of provincial and territorial policing services provided under Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs).

Altogether, these investments brought the total FNIPP funding for fiscal year 2024–25 to approximately $334.6 million. These totals are inclusive of the 19 newly funded projects, with existing First Nation communities served under FNIPP, alongside historical projects that had financial pay-outs in fiscal year 2024-25.

Examples of projects funded in fiscal year 2024–25 include:

• Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service: In fiscal year 2024-25, $31,566,015 in federal funding was provided to the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Board for continued support of a self-administered First Nations police service operating in remote and northern communities.
• Nunavik Police Service: In fiscal year 2024-25, $43,483,277 in federal funding was provided to the Nunavik Police Service for continued support of a self-administered Inuit Nations police service operating in remote and northern communities of northern Quebec.
• CTAs in Nunavut: CTAs involve the provision of dedicated services by RCMP officers to specific Inuit communities. These agreements are negotiated by Public Safety Canada, the Government of Nunavut, and the respective community; and are governed under a Framework Agreement signed between Canada and Nunavut. In 2024-25, in Nunavut, eight RCMP officers were allocated to serve seven communities under the Framework Agreement. It is anticipated that, in the coming years, 15 officers will be deployed to serve 13 communities in Nunavut.

Public Safety also renewed CTAS that expired on March 31, 2024, to support over 235 communities.

The FNIPP responds to part of Call for Justice 5.5, as ongoing stabilization efforts are expected to lead to more equitable and sustainable funding for community-based policing models. The program has expanded its reach, with a substantial increase in funding and service delivery coverage. However, continued improvements in program governance, as highlighted by the 2024 Auditor General's report, are necessary to ensure long-term equity and accountability in support of Indigenous-led policing.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people benefit from the FNIPP through improved access to dedicated and culturally informed policing services that prioritize community trust, safety, and responsiveness. By supporting the operational stability and capacity of Indigenous police services, the program strengthens local responses to gender-based violence and enhances preventative safety efforts in communities.

• Expanded access to culturally responsive policing: Supported policing services in 84 Indigenous communities in 2024–25, including new communities joining existing self-administered services.
• Community safety and stability: Ongoing and completed projects enhanced the capacity of Indigenous police services to provide dedicated, locally relevant safety services.
• Collaborative governance: Engaged with over 80 Indigenous governments and policing boards guided program modernization and funding allocations.
• Program renewal and oversight: Advanced policy updates and oversight mechanisms to strengthen alignment with Indigenous priorities and improve long-term program effectiveness.

Budget 2021 earmarked $523.8 million over five years, ending in 2025–26, with $126.8 million in ongoing annual funding. To date, $523,825,162 has been allocated under the program. In 2024–25, total funding distributed was $262,072,104, covering new, continuing, and completed projects in both First Nations and Inuit communities. Additionally, it distributed $72,567,916 for the delivery of existing CTAs, by the RCMP, in First Nations and Inuit communities.

In fiscal year 2024–25, seven projects were funded under the FNIPFP, including four new builds and three ongoing projects:

• Four new builds were initiated in Ontario for Attawapiskat, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Taykwa Tagamou, and Muskrat Dam First Nations.
• Three continuing projects in Quebec supported new builds and modifications in Gesgapegiag, Listuguj, and Opitciwan First Nations.

Total funding for fiscal year 2024–25 was $7,109,435, comprising $5,889,700 for new projects and $1,219,735 for continuing initiatives. Notable projects include the construction of new detachments for a First Nation police service in Ontario ($4,240,000) and infrastructure modifications in Opitciwan to expand the existing detachment ($1,649,700).

The FNIPFP responds to part of Call for Justice 5.5 provides funding for infrastructure builds, acquisitions, repairs, and renovations to ensure Indigenous police services are able to operate in stable, safe and culturally appropriate facilities that meet the community needs. By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the program strengthens public safety and enhances community confidence in local policing.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by the MMIWG2S+ crisis are served through improved conditions for front-line policing and by reinforcing the infrastructure required for trauma-informed, community-based safety services. The program directly supports grassroots efforts toward Indigenous self-determination in justice and policing.

• Improved safety and operational capacity: Modern, code-compliant facilities ensure safer environments for both officers and community members.
• Support for self-determined policing: Infrastructure investments contribute to the viability of Indigenous-led police services.
• Targeted investments in underserved communities: Projects focused on northern and remote First Nations in Ontario and Quebec, where infrastructure needs are particularly acute.
• Partnership with Indigenous governance: Funding is directed to Indigenous authorities and facility owners, ensuring accountability and responsiveness to local priorities.

Budget 2021 allocated $108.6 million over five years (fiscal year 2021–22 to fiscal year 2027–28) to the FNIPFP. As of fiscal year 2024–25, $108,060,272 has been allocated. This includes $7,109,435 in total funding for fiscal year 2024–25, across seven projects.

Federal investments under the UBF respond to Call for Justice 5.5i by extending wireless cellular coverage and broadband infrastructure in rural and remote communities, inclusive of Indigenous communities, particularly those in remote and northern regions. Through extended connectivity, community safety is enhanced, including along transportation corridors like the Highway of Tears. This reduced safety risks for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people who face heightened vulnerabilities in isolated areas. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by gaining improved access to emergency response services, justice-related digital tools, and overall community safety enhancements through reliable high-speed Internet.

• Enhanced community safety: Supports connectivity along high-risk areas, such as the Highway of Tears, where Indigenous women and girls have faced violence.
  • Example: Announced in April 2021, the Highway 16 Cellular Coverage Expansion project, located in northern British Columbia, aims to eliminate cellular dead zones, ensuring travelers have access to 911 services and reliable communication throughout the corridor. Delivered by Rogers Communications, this project received $4.5 million from the UBF and the Connecting British Columbia program, for the installation of cellular towers to provide continuous cellular coverage along the stretch from Prince Rupert to Prince George. Rogers reports that, as of December 2024, nine out of the planned 11 towers have been activated, providing 166 kilometers of new 5G coverage. Upon completion, the project will deliver a total of 252 kilometers of new cellular coverage, addressing critical safety concerns highlighted in the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium Report and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Increased communication infrastructure: Strengthens emergency response capabilities in remote communities.
  • Example: Under the UBF, $35 million has been announced for the Keewaytinook Okimakanak's broadband project to improve access to high-speed Internet to 182 households located in two communities in the region of the First Nations of Fort Severn and Peawanuck, Ontario, using Fibre technology.
• Improved justice system access: Enables remote Indigenous policing services to access digital forensic tools, case management systems, and inter-jurisdictional collaboration.
  • Example: The UBF is the Government's flagship program to advance connectivity objectives. By helping extend high-speed Internet and mobile coverage in underserved areas, the UBF lays the groundwork for the implementation of digital tools essential for modern law enforcement and judicial processes. This includes access to digital forensic tools, case management systems, and platforms for inter-jurisdictional collaboration. Improved Internet access empowers Indigenous communities to develop and manage their own digital services, potentially leading to localized solutions tailored to their specific needs, including community-led policing initiatives.

$3.225 billion program, inclusive of $50 million for enhanced cellular coverage projects that primarily benefits Indigenous communities. In 2024, new UBF announcements were made in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Northwest Territories.

The ACSPI responds to Call for Justice 5.5iv by supporting Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans that identify culturally sensitive, community-led safety and well-being initiatives to address their unique circumstances. By seeking the endorsement of the process by Indigenous community leadership, ACSPI ensures that safety planning efforts align with the distinct needs, traditions, and goals of each community. This approach fosters self-determined, sustainable solutions for safety and well-being.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from ACSPI by gaining access to community tailored, culturally relevant safety planning and the resources needed to create safer, healthier communities.

• Community-led crime prevention: Indigenous communities receive support to develop and implement projects to achieve goals identified in their Community Safety Plans.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $180,167 in funding was provided to Little Black Bear's Band through their project titled Crime Prevention: Activating the Four Pillars - Elders Circle/Men's Circle/Women's Circle/Youth Circle and Establishing a Crime Prevention Paradigm through Sports, Culture and Recreation. The purpose of this project is to implement key components identified in Little Black Bear's Band's recently completed Community Safety Plan created through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative, including the revitalization of wellness circles within the community and the establishments of a Sports, Recreation and Culture club committee which will contribute towards crime prevention, youth engagement and community safety initiatives. The community will incorporate cultural norms, local languages, regional skills, and social needs into the program that will effectively offer meaningful activities for young people as a way of fostering community responsibility as well as positive alternative to harmful or illegal activities.
• Culturally informed safety planning: ACSPI's community-led approach ensures that community safety and well-being initiatives reflect Indigenous traditions, governance, and knowledge systems.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $92,877 was allocated to Gift Lake Métis Settlement's Oskyak Nakatemowak (Youth Watch Over Us) to focus on knowledge building, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to establish safety within the community. This includes organizing workshops and activities on historical identity, youth empowerment, family ancestry, and addressing physical safety concerns in the community.

The 2020 Fall Economic Statement allocated $6.27 million over five years (starting in 2021). Budget 2021 allocated $40.5 million over five years (starting in 2021), with $11.6 million ongoing.

For 2024-25, the ACSPI was budgeted $10.8 million, including $6 million in contribution funding.

The NICPF responds to Call for Justice 5.5iv by funding the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, culturally sensitive crime prevention programs. These initiatives recognize the historical and systemic factors that contribute to crime and victimization in Indigenous communities and prioritize solutions that are rooted in Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and self-determined approaches. Through NICPF, Indigenous communities have access to resources that support proactive safety programs, and culturally relevant crime prevention training. This ensures that crime prevention efforts align with Indigenous governance structures and local priorities, strengthening community resilience and safety. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program as it provides direct support for Indigenous-led crime prevention solutions that result in safer communities.

• Culturally responsive crime prevention: Supports the development of community-led programs that integrate Indigenous cultural values into crime prevention strategies.
  • Example: $766,648 was allocated to Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services' Ganohkwasra Youth Counsellors over five years, to focus on individual and group-based healing addressing intergenerational trauma, using traditional (Haudenosaunee) and non-traditional methods, in order to strengthen protective factors and reduce or halt at-risk individuals from turning to a cycle of violence and crime.
  • Example: $3,429,160 was allocated to Mistawasis Nêhiyawak's Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Community Crime Prevention Program over five years, for community readiness and community mobilization initiatives utilizing commonly used crime prevention strategies, including but not limited to Social Developmental Crime Prevention Design and Situational/Environmental Crime Prevention Design supported through western and traditional and cultural systems to promote a traditional concept of balance.
• Increased accessibility: Expands opportunities for Indigenous organizations and communities to secure funding for crime prevention initiatives.
  • Example: $1,007,583 was allocated to Montreal Indigenous Community Network's Adaptation and Implementation of SFP Model within the Urban Indigenous Community over three years, to adapt and implement the Strengthening Families Program model with the urban Indigenous community of Montréal.

The Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund is supported by $22,783,865 over five years allocated through Budget 2021 and $6 million ongoing.

The CSHF initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by increasing access to Indigenous-led, distinctions-based, and community-specific victim services. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative through increased access to critical healing spaces and culturally relevant support networks that help families navigate grief, loss, and trauma.

• Increased access to Indigenous-led healing supports across Canada: Families receive support through culturally specific, relevant project activities that promote healing and resilience.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $390,814 was allocated to The National Family and Survivors Circle to create Wellness Kits, which are curated and crafted to address the grief and trauma of families or missing and murdered loved ones. The project aims to center and elevate families' lived experiences and expertise by developing an education curriculum and train-the-trainer module based on best practices for frontline service delivery organizations and government entities. The project will improve access to justice for victims of crime and create space for them as leaders and experts in steering their own journey towards healing and justice.
• Holistic and community-based healing: The initiative funds activities such as land-based healing, sharing circles, and counseling with Elders.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $136,000 was allocated to Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation's Healing Cohort to perform traditional on the land healing programs, western style counselling, and workshops for Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
• Trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach: Services prioritize the safety, dignity, and empowerment of families.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $150,000 was allocated to the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal's Iskweu Project to respond to the immediate need for assistance expressed by families and loved ones in the cases where an Indigenous woman, girl, transgender, or Two-Spirit person goes missing. The project ensures families and loved ones receive support and an adequate anti-racist response from institutions when someone goes missing; and works to reduce barriers in accessing those supports Its goals include: ensuring police file reports and conduct proper investigations; promoting best practices in police responses; providing emotional support to families and friends; implementing prevention strategies through harm reduction; developing a welcome kit for Indigenous newcomers to Montreal; and offering a 1-800 number for tips or assistance related to MMIWG2S+.

Budget 2023 allocated $20 million over five years, with $4.15 million annually to sustain and expand the initiative. This funding has allowed for the growth in the number of projects funded each year, and as the funding is ongoing multi-year workplans and activities can be funded. In 2024-25, 33 multi-year projects were approved following the October 2023 call for proposals, for a total investment of over $22.2 million over five years and over $4.85 million in 2024-25.

In fiscal year 2024–25, the initiative continued to build on the expanded mandate introduced in Budget 2023 including:

• Enhanced inter-jurisdictional information sharing to inform renewed models and activities within the FILU framework;
• Increased funding to support the strategic review and design of the FILU in each jurisdiction to support continuity of service, training, and the next five-year strategic plan;
• Realignment by some jurisdictions to ensure that the appropriate provincial or territorial department/ministry is delivering and monitoring the FILUs; and
• Approval of new funding agreements for the continued delivery of FILU operations in each province and territory for the 2025-26 to 2029-30 timeframe.

The FILU initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by providing families of missing and murdered Indigenous people with access to culturally grounded, family-centred, and trauma-informed victim services. Call for Justice 5.6 calls on all levels of government to develop an enhanced, holistic, and comprehensive approach to supporting Indigenous victims of crime and the families and friends of Indigenous murdered or missing persons. FILUs contribute to this approach by creating a framework for all levels of government to work together to support families and survivors, and by working directly with families to obtain information across justice and social service systems, and by connecting them to culturally appropriate supports—including mental health, legal, and community-based services. With renewed federal investment, the scope of FILUs has expanded to also include families of missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by receiving information they are entitles to about their missing or murdered loved one, in a wraparound, culturally respectful manner that honours their experiences and may help create or build trust in the criminal justice system and victim serving agencies.

• Culturally grounded support: FILUs provide trauma-informed services that respect Indigenous traditions.
• Enhanced family-centered services: FILUs ensure that families have access to all the available information about their loved one, from multiple agencies, and connects them to all available supports they may need at the community level.
• Expanded services: Additional funding has enabled FILUs to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.

FILUs are funded through the Federal Victims Strategy's Victims Fund, with a 2023 commitment of $37.3 million over five years and $7.5 million annually on an ongoing basis. In 2024-25, almost $6 million was accessed by provinces and territories for the delivery of FILUs.

The IJP responds to Call for Justice 5.6 by ensuring community-based justice alternatives that prioritize culturally relevant victim support, restorative justice, and healing-centered legal processes. While IJP's primary focus is diversion and restorative justice, it also plays a role in addressing victims' needs by supporting Indigenous-led community justice programs that integrate trauma-informed and culturally relevant services for victims, survivors, and families. The IJP funds civil and family mediation services and trauma-informed victim training, ensuring Indigenous families receive culturally safe legal support. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from access to culturally relevant mediation and victim support services that reduce re-traumatization and promote healing.

• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing.
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices.
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims.
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization.
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families.

Budget 2021 allocated $13.6 million over three years (2021-2024). Budget 2024 announced $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program to renew Budget 2021 funding for Program Integrity. As of April 2025, investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities.

• Following the input provided by an advisory committee comprised of First Nation, Metis and Inuit advocates and victim services providers, stakeholders, and partners, Justice Canada launched the SIVC initiative in 2024-25, with an open Call for Proposals (CFP).
• Following the open CFP, 42 projects were approved for funding over five years starting in 2025-26.

This initiative supports Call for Justice 5.6 by increasing access to trauma-informed, Indigenous-led services and supports for Indigenous victims of crime and their families. Victims, survivors, families and Indigenous communities benefit by receiving sustained and culturally relevant victim services and supports that promote healing, justice, and empowerment.

• Trauma supports: Increases access to culturally grounded, trauma-informed supports for Indigenous victims of crime, even if they choose not to report the crime, at the community level.
• Indigenous-led victim services: Access to community designed and delivered services and supports to assist victims to navigate the criminal justice system, access information, and implement their rights.
• Long-term funding stability: Ensures sustained investment in projects that uplift and support Indigenous victims and survivors.
• Sustained services and supports: Through multi-year agreements Indigenous governments and organizations have support to design and deliver culturally appropriate victim services and supports and build partnerships with provincial and territorial victim services to share training and strengthen relationships with criminal justice agencies.

Budget 2023 allocated $38.6 million over five years (2023–28), with $8 million ongoing. Through these investments, the federal government has committed to expand and strengthen Indigenous-led victim services, and to support partnerships to increase access to justice for Indigenous victims and survivors of crime in contact with the criminal justice system. Ongoing federal funding ensures that Indigenous organizations can continue to deliver culturally relevant, community-based victim support services and build partnerships with others working in the criminal justice system to better support victims and survivors. In 2024-25, just over $3.5 million was approved to support Indigenous-led approaches to support Indigenous victims and survivors of crime.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by funding programs that deliver trauma care, emotional support, and culturally grounded services through an accessible Call for Proposals process. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by receiving equitable and culturally appropriate support services that help them navigate the impacts of crime, violence, and loss.

• Holistic support services: Provides Indigenous victims and families with trauma-informed care, counseling, and community-driven healing initiatives. Supports emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health programs.
• Equitable and accessible assistance: Reduces barriers to accessing essential healing services for Indigenous victims and families.
• Sustained community-led programs: Supports Indigenous-led organizations in developing long-term support networks.

The program funds Indigenous organizations and communities through Calls for Proposals, ensuring equitable and sustained funding for supports and services. Funding amounts vary and are allocated based on demonstrated need, proposed project scope, and program capacity. In 2024-25, $2,300,424 was allocated to funding recipients.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.10 by supporting the revitalization of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions as central components of justice system reform. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, the strategy identifies specific actions to support the recognition and implementation of Indigenous legal traditions alongside measures to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation. The strategy draws on recommendations from national commissions and inquiries and affirms the importance of Indigenous Peoples' inherent right to develop and maintain their own legal institutions. Through targeted engagement and policy development, the strategy advances a coordinated approach to integrating Indigenous laws within broader justice frameworks, while respecting the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous communities.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by colonial legal systems benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its support for Indigenous-led approaches that reflect cultural values, traditions, and community-defined concepts of justice. By prioritizing the revitalization and recognition of Indigenous legal systems, the strategy enables communities to reclaim control over justice processes in ways that promote healing, accountability, and long-term safety. These efforts contribute to a more inclusive and balanced justice system that affirms Indigenous rights and strengthens access to justice for those historically marginalized within existing legal frameworks.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

Engagement and negotiations in 2024–25 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2024–25:

• Ontario Collaborative Table
• British Columbia Treaty Enforcement of Laws Group
• Labrador Innu
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• New Brunswick Common Table on Justice and Community Safety
• Wolastoqey Nation
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

The Administration of Justice Agreements respond to Call for Justice 5.11 by increasing the federal government's capacity to engage with Indigenous governments that wish to revitalize their legal systems and develop culturally relevant justice responses. Justice Canada's participation at RIRSD tables supports growing requests from Indigenous partners to enter into negotiations that reflect their distinct legal traditions and governance structures.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from these agreements through enhanced access to justice services that reflect Indigenous legal traditions and are grounded in community values. These agreements contribute to justice system transformation by recognizing the legitimacy of Indigenous laws and institutions, and supporting Indigenous-led responses to harm, healing, and accountability.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal systems and laws.
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities.
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice.
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, youth, and Elders to shape justice reforms.
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous laws into broader justice frameworks.

Budget 2021 committed $8.1 million over five years (through 2026–27) to support the negotiation and implementation of Administration of Justice Agreements. Ongoing funding of $1.62 million has also been secured to support future work. To date, $6.4 million has been allocated toward advancing this initiative.

In 2024-25, Indigenous Courtwork Program operated in all provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Labrador and has continued to reach more than 60,000 clients annually.

The Indigenous Family Courtwork Services program responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by enhancing access to justice for Indigenous peoples through culturally grounded, community-based legal navigation and support. This program helps Indigenous clients understand and navigate available justice options, including alternative dispute resolution processes and community-based interventions where available.

By embedding service delivery in Indigenous agencies and grounding it in Indigenous worldviews, the program advances culturally appropriate justice through culturally competent legal navigation that supports informed choices, including diversion or community-led alternatives; advocacy for Indigenous perspectives in family and child protection proceedings; and, strengthened pathways to justice that build trust and accountability in the legal system for Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from increased legal advocacy, reduced barriers to justice, and stronger connections to culturally informed dispute resolution processes.

• Greater Access to Restorative Justice: Courtworkers support non-adversarial resolutions in family and child protection cases.
• Culturally Relevant Legal Navigation: Indigenous-led service delivery ensures legal support aligns with Indigenous values.
• Stronger Advocacy and Court Support: Courtworkers help Indigenous individuals understand legal processes and advocate on their behalf.
• Improved Justice System Equity: The program addresses systemic legal barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous families.

In 2024-25, $2,066,084 has been allocated to date to support Indigenous families with ongoing legal support. Funding is provided through bilateral agreements with provincial and territorial governments, and in most jurisdictions, services are delivered by Indigenous service providers under contract with provincial or territorial governments. Budget 2021 allocated $6.7 million over three years (2021-24) to expand Indigenous Family Courtwork Services. Budget 2024 approved renewed funding for continued expansion and delivery of services.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.11 by advancing actions that improve access to meaningful and culturally appropriate justice responses for Indigenous Peoples. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, the strategy emphasizes the need for justice system reforms that reflect Indigenous values, traditions, and lived experiences. It includes measures to support Indigenous-led and community-based alternatives to incarceration, trauma-informed approaches, and the development of culturally safe legal services. These actions are grounded in ongoing engagement with a broad range of Indigenous rights holders and organizations and are informed by long-standing recommendations from national inquiries and commissions.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by barriers to justice benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its commitment to culturally responsive and accessible justice services. The strategy supports the development and expansion of Indigenous justice initiatives that prioritize healing, wellness, and accountability, and that respond to the specific needs of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. These efforts contribute to a more equitable justice system by addressing systemic gaps and ensuring that Indigenous communities have access to justice approaches that reflect their cultural, social, and legal realities.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

The funding was delivered through a Call for Proposal which funded multiple projects across Canada. A few examples of projects that were funded include: the Manitoba Métis Federation to develop culturally responsive mediation services for Indigenous Families; Yorkton Tribal Council to develop a family circle programs to provide First Nations family mediation and cultural programming; and the Nunatsiavut Government to develop an Inuit-specific family mediation program to support the resolution of family disputes in a culturally-safe, community-centered way.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by expanding access to Indigenous-led justice programs that reflect the cultural values, laws, and traditions of Indigenous communities. By centering justice solutions within Indigenous communities, the program ensures that justice processes are culturally relevant, inclusive, and restorative rather than punitive. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by gaining access to justice solutions that prioritize healing, respect traditional governance structures, and offer safe reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the mainstream justice system.

• Increased access to Indigenous-led justice: Expands alternatives to mainstream legal processes, reducing barriers to justice for Indigenous People. Provides culturally aligned mediation that respects Indigenous traditions and governance.
• Conflict prevention: Works to resolve disputes in a non-adversarial manner and aims to reduce the likelihood of legal escalation.
• Cultural safety and inclusion: Ensures that mediation processes are culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-driven.

Through Budget 2021, the program received $6.8 million over three years for civil and family mediation supports for existing Indigenous Justice Programs. Through Budget 2024, the program received $14.5 million over five years and $2.9 million ongoing to renew Budget 2021 funding for Civil and Family Mediation.

The IJP responds to part of Call for Justice 5.11 by funding and strengthening Indigenous-led, community-based justice initiatives that provide legal support, mediation, and restorative justice services. The program helps ensure Indigenous individuals have access to alternatives to the mainstream justice system, which has historically failed them, and ensures justice initiatives are responsive, culturally relevant, and inclusive of restorative justice practices.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from a justice system that upholds their legal traditions, ensures community safety, and reduces the criminalization of Indigenous people.

• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing.
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices. Programs are designed and delivered by Indigenous communities. Culturally relevant justice services enhance community trust.
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims.
• Focus on Indigenous Women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization.
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families.

Budget 2021 allocated $13.6 million over three years (2021-2024). Budget 2024 announced $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program to renew Budget 2021 funding for Program Integrity. As of April 2025, investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by enhancing accessibility to meaningful and culturally appropriate justice practices, including expanded restorative justice programs and Indigenous Peoples' courts. The investment in Gladue report writing and aftercare services ensures Indigenous individuals receive fair and equitable treatment under the law.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative through increased access to culturally responsive legal services that uphold Indigenous rights and reduce systemic discrimination in the justice system.

• Increased access to restorative justice: Expanded programming ensures Indigenous individuals have alternatives to mainstream sentencing.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $83,040 was allocated to Aboriginal Legal Services Inc.'s Needs Assessments for Toronto Courthouse and Bail Centre to ensure greater Indigenous input into decisions about the Gladue Courts and how they incorporate Gladue Principles.
• Support for Gladue aftercare: Community-based programs assist individuals in meeting their sentencing conditions and implementing report recommendations.
• Legal system reform: Training and structural changes promote justice system accountability and responsiveness to Indigenous needs.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $45,611 was allocated to Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation's Our Life-Stories Are Not Being Heard/Honoured to fund an educational based training initiative for criminal justice professionals.

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, including:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.2 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare.
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies.
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports. In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Northwest Territory and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland Labrador and Manitoba.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.12 by drawing upon and advancing the justice-related recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Public Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal People, and other national commissions and inquiries. Through co-development with Indigenous partners, the strategy identifies specific measures to address systemic discrimination, strengthen Indigenous-led justice initiatives, and promote the integration of Indigenous laws and legal traditions. These measures reflect long-standing calls to reform the justice system and improve outcomes for Indigenous people, particularly in relation to culturally relevant legal services, restorative justice, and alternatives to incarceration.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by systemic barriers and colonial justice practices benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its commitment to sustained reform grounded in Indigenous perspectives and legal traditions. The strategy supports the design and delivery of community-based responses that uphold Indigenous rights and enhance access to justice. By building on decades of evidence and advocacy, the strategy contributes to the implementation of meaningful reforms that promote safety, dignity, and accountability within the justice system for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and their communities.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

Justice Canada continues to support the delivery of criminal legal aid services to Indigenous peoples to address overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.

The Criminal Legal Aid initiative aligns with Call for Justice 5.13 by expanding access to legal representation for economically disadvantaged Indigenous peoples, through increased federal funding, including $80 million for 2024-25. This investment supports the call's demand for adequately resourced legal aid programs and contributes to reducing barriers to justice for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. By facilitating access to legal representation, this initiative strengthens Indigenous survivors' ability to navigate the justice system and seek protection from violence. Further, by aiming to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system, the initiative upholds the broader goal of ensuring equitable access to justice and supporting meaningful participation in legal processes. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program as it reduces barriers to justice, ensuring their voices are heard and legal rights upheld.

• Enhanced legal representation: Increased access to legal aid for Indigenous survivors of sexualized and intimate partner violence.
• Addressing overrepresentation: Legal support for Indigenous peoples disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system.
• Equitable justice system: Ensuring legal aid services are accessible and culturally appropriate for Indigenous communities.

In addition to the ongoing funding of $142 million per year, Budget 2024 allocated $440 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to continue supporting the delivery of criminal legal aid services, and an additional $80 million in 2024-25 to increase access to justice and decrease disproportional criminalization.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.15 by ensuring Gladue reports are recognized as a right and adequately resourced. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by having culturally appropriate sentencing options that consider the full context of Indigenous individuals' lived experiences, ultimately reducing overrepresentation in the justice system.

• Recognition of Gladue reports as a right: Improved funding and resources ensure greater accessibility.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $83,040 was allocated to Aboriginal Legal Services Inc.'s Needs Assessments for Toronto Courthouse and Bail Centre to ensure greater Indigenous input into decisions about the Gladue Courts and how they incorporate Gladue Principles.
• Strength-based reporting: Gladue reports promote fair and culturally informed sentencing.
• Judicial system accountability: Education and training for legal professionals help embed Gladue Principles into practice.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $45,611 was allocated to Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation's Our Life-Stories Are Not Being Heard/Honoured to fund an educational based training initiative for criminal justice professionals.

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, including:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.2 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare.
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies.
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports. In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland Labrador and Manitoba.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.16 by ensuring that Indigenous individuals have access to culturally specific and community-based sentencing options. By expanding Indigenous-led justice programs, it helps address systemic discrimination and provides meaningful alternatives to incarceration.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by gaining access to justice approaches that reflect Indigenous values, promote healing, and support reintegration into communities.

• Culturally specific sentencing options: Increased funding supports alternatives to conventional punitive sentencing.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $83,040 was allocated to Aboriginal Legal Services Inc.'s Needs Assessments for Toronto Courthouse and Bail Centre to ensure greater Indigenous input into decisions about the Gladue Courts and how they incorporate Gladue Principles.
• Indigenous-led justice programs: Community-based solutions empower Indigenous self-determination in justice processes.
• Systemic change in sentencing practices: Enhanced training and education ensure Indigenous perspectives are embedded in judicial decisions.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $45,611 was allocated to Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation's Our Life-Stories Are Not Being Heard/Honoured to fund an educational based training initiative for criminal justice professionals.

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, including:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.2 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare.
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies.
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports. In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland Labrador and Manitoba.

The IJP responds to Call for Justice 5.16 by supporting programs that facilitate reintegration, diversion, and mediation, ensuring culturally relevant justice services are available at all stages of the legal process. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from reintegration support, reducing recidivism and strengthening community cohesion.

• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing.
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices. Programs are designed and delivered by Indigenous communities. Culturally relevant justice services enhance community trust.
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims.
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization.
• Family mediation: Programs facilitate family and community mediation. Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families.

Budget 2021 allocated $13.6 million over three years (2021-2024). Budget 2024 announced $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program to renew Budget 2021 funding for Program Integrity. As of April 2025, investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities.

Engagements under Waves 1 and 2 reached more than 1,430 participants through regional dialogue sessions. An additional 38 Indigenous partners received funding to conduct their own engagement processes. Over 230 individuals with lived experience participated in a dedicated engagement stream across 14 locations.

Building on earlier rounds of national engagement (Waves 1 and 2), Justice Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy Key Elements Consultation Draft (KECD) in spring 2024, identifying 24 shared priority actions. This draft was shared publicly for online validation and targeted consultation with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. A concurrent co-development process was launched with national Indigenous organizations and modern treaty partners to develop distinction-based chapters. This phase concluded in December 2024, bringing the IJS to its final stages of development.

In 2024-25, engagement focused on public validation of the KECD and co-development of the final IJS. Key milestones included:

• Targeted consultations with Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments;
• Online public validation of the KECD;
• Completion of co-developed distinction-based chapters with national Indigenous organizations and two modern treaty governments;
• Justice Canada engaged with National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council), Métis governing members (Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation), and Modern Treaty Self-Governing Nations (Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee], Délĩnę Got'ĩnę Government). The IJS is now in its final stages of preparation and will guide future reforms across the justice system.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.21 by advancing specific measures to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners, the strategy draws on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Arbour Report, and other key inquiries and reports that have called for systemic reform. It supports actions aimed at eliminating discriminatory practices, expanding alternatives to incarceration, and improving access to culturally grounded justice services. These actions reflect a distinctions-based and gender-informed approach to justice reform that recognizes the unique barriers faced by Indigenous women and girls.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities affected by the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its emphasis on targeted, community-led responses. By addressing the underlying causes of criminalization, including colonialism, racism, poverty, and gender-based violence, the strategy promotes more equitable outcomes and safer, more accessible justice systems. The inclusion of Indigenous women's voices in the design and implementation of the strategy ensures that reforms are responsive to their realities and support long-term change grounded in Indigenous values and priorities.

• Reduces overrepresentation: Identifies concrete measures to address the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.
• Supports legal revitalization: Advances the recognition and application of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions within the broader justice landscape.
• Promotes inclusive governance: Ensures representation of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and other historically underrepresented groups in justice policy development and decision-making.
• Strengthens community justice: Enables the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, community-based, and restorative justice programs.
• Builds long-term accountability: Establishes shared priorities and monitoring mechanisms to support sustained and transparent justice system transformation.

Budget 2021 committed $11 million over three years (ending 2023-24) to support the engagement and co-development of the IJS. Budget 2024 provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support implementation.

Distinctions-based funding allocations for 2024-25 included:

• First Nations: $1,145,886
• Inuit: $521,000
• Métis: $1,245,770

Funding supported national engagement, regional dialogue sessions, participation of those with lived experience, and co-development with national Indigenous organizations and self-governing Indigenous governments.

To mark its milestone anniversary, staff from women's institutions and the Women Offender Sector will share posters promoting Creating Choices, and is working to convene special events (i.e. Armchair Discussion with the Commissioner, Wardens from Women's sites face-to-face meeting etc.).

CSC committed to and continues to ensure all staff working with federally sentenced women, regardless of the staff member's position or level, are trained in Women-Centred Training. Targeted staff in the Regional and National Headquarters will be trained. Training of staff will continue into fiscal year 2026-2027 and with all new staff as they are identified.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.22 by integrating and upholding the key principles set out in Creating Choices (1990), and in doing so, working to specifically address the need to reform women's corrections in Canada.

In 2024–25, Statistics Canada advanced the expansion of the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey to capture the Indigenous and racialized identity of both victims and accused individuals in police-reported crime data. Informed by broad engagement with police services, Indigenous and racialized communities, academic researchers, and advocacy groups, Statistics Canada introduced a revised version of the UCR Survey in February 2024.

Alongside technical updates, Statistics Canada collaborated with a special-purpose committee under the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police—comprised of over 40 police agencies—to develop an Operational Guidelines document for supporting police services in the collection and use of the identity data collection across jurisdictions. These guidelines aim to support ethical, standardized practices for police services in collecting demographic information, and are intended to be published on the StatCan website in July 2025.

Moreover, Statistics Canada finalized the following two other, accompanying reports in 2024-25: (1) a What We Heard Report on the results of the Phase 2 engagements by StatCan (Release date: May 26th, 2025); and (2) An Analytical framework promoting the ethical and responsible use, analysis and dissemination of the data (Release date July 16th, 2025).

Statistics Canada also updated the Crime and Justice Statistics Hub in July 2023 to include a dedicated section on UCR expansion. This public resource now outlines the project's key deliverables, implementation timeline, and ongoing updates. These measures reflect a continued commitment to public transparency and responsiveness to the needs of families, communities, and researchers. This dedicated section on the Hub is currently being updated to reflect additional progress in 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Complementary to this work, new analytical reports, using a distinctions-based approach and focusing on criminal justice outcomes, have been disseminated. For example, the article "Disparities in decision and sentencing outcomes between Indigenous accused and White accused in adult criminal court, 2016/2017 to 2020/2021", highlighted the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous people within the criminal court system. The distinctions-based analyses revealed some notable differences in outcomes for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.

This initiative fully responds toto Call for Justice 5.24, which calls for the collection and publication of data on the criminal involvement of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to monitor overrepresentation and systemic bias. The expanded UCR Survey allows for the collection of Indigenous identity data from police-reported incidents, filling a longstanding gap in Canadian policing data infrastructure. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this work by gaining access to reliable, distinctions-based data that can reveal patterns of criminalization, over-policing, and systemic inequities. These insights empower communities and advocates to demand change and develop community-informed solutions that reflect lived realities and support safety, dignity, and justice.

• Collection of disaggregated data: Enables detailed and distinctions-based analysis of Indigenous identity in criminal justice contexts, helping reveal patterns of overrepresentation and systemic bias.
• Foundational work for legislative and programmatic equity: Supports a whole-of-government approach to improving data equity, with integration into national police data systems and key social and health datasets.
• Grounded in community and sector engagement: Ongoing consultation with police services, Indigenous organizations, and academic experts ensures that new data collection processes are ethical, responsive, and informed by those most affected.
• Advancing transparency and accountability: Public-facing updates, implementation guides, and the inclusion of identity variables in crime data promote openness and accountability in justice systems.
• Enabling systemic change through data: Empowers policymakers, communities, and researchers to better understand and respond to the root causes of inequity in policing and justice.
• Pathway to inclusive policy development: Informs the design of policies, programs, and services that reflect the lived experiences and realities of Indigenous peoples and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Canada.

This initiative received $1,688,431 in funding from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (and $320,857 ongoing) under the Disaggregated Data Action Plan to support the expansion of the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey and related engagement, analysis, and implementation activities. Future investments will be guided by ongoing system-wide coordination efforts and collaboration across policing, data, and justice sectors.

This initiative, the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, responds to Call for Justice 5.24 by contributing to improving data collection and intake-screening processes to gather distinctions-based and intersectional data about Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. By ensuring that Indigenous-led organizations define data methodologies, the initiative ensures that a range of Indigenous perspectives shape the understanding of safety, well-being, and systemic barriers. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program as it strengthens their ability to advocate for policy change based on meaningful Indigenous-led, community-specific and culturally relevant data.

• Improved data accuracy: Indigenous-led knowledge systems and methodologies ensure data accurately reflects values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $82,650 was allocated to First Nations Information Governance Centre's Proposal to Define and Measure Safety Among First Nations Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse Individuals to explore ways in which safety is defined and measured among First Nations in Canada and will help chart a path toward more reliable, distinctions or identity-based data.
• Informed policy and advocacy: Reliable, distinctions-based Indigenous-led intersectional data strengthens evidence-based advocacy and ensures that Indigenous data voices drive future policies and advocacy efforts.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $105,032 was allocated to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada's Inuit Count: An Inuit-Specific, Gender-Based Approach to Improving Data and Addressing Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to develop a data strategy, through a gendered-lens that is based on promising practices, early intervention, prevention, and healing and wellness supports and programs. This project is also helping improve data methodologies that are specific to missing and murdered Inuit women, girls, and LGBTQI+ Inuit, including initiatives that: develop qualitative distinctions or identity-based indicators; address existing methodological gaps for Inuit women, girls and gender diverse Inuit who are overwhelmingly underserviced or underrepresented in data; and define safety through Inuit ways of understanding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles.
• Greater inclusion of underserved groups: Focus on identity-based indicators enhances representation of many Indigenous groups, particularly 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, urban Indigenous populations, and those experiencing intergenerational trauma, who have historically been left out of data collection efforts.
  • Example: In 2024-25, $50,000 was allocated to Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance's Wabanaki Two-Spirit Research and Ethics Protocols Project to develop a 2SLGBTQI+ Research and Ethics committee and framework to become the single-entry point for all research related to 2SLGBTQI+ people in the Wabanaki region; develop protocols for all research and data collection related to 2SLGBTQI+ people within Wabanaki; develop and set a standard for all research and data collection related to 2SLGBTQI+ people on a national and international level; and expand the Research and Ethics committee to include all research in the Wabanaki region specific to the 2SLGBTQI+ to ensure that any research is conducted in a healthy, safe and culturally appropriate manner, recognizing and respecting the intersectionality of experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ people and community.

The program is funded through Budget 2021, allocating $6.5 million over six years (2021-27) to support Indigenous-led research initiatives.