About the Event National Justice Forum on Revitalization of First Nations Laws and Legal Orders
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will be co-hosting a National Justice Forum, alongside the British Columbia First Nations Justice Council, which aims to provide First Nations an opportunity to discuss the revitalization of First Nations laws and legal orders that will inform the implementation of the First Nations component of the Indigenous Justice Strategy. The Forum will provide a space for First Nations throughout Canada to share knowledge and advance efforts to revitalize First Nations justice processes, laws, and legal systems.
Register Now
This website will provide information on the AFN National Justice Forum on Revitalization of First Nations Laws and Legal Orders. Check back for updated information as details are confirmed.
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Registration
Who should attend?
- First Nations Chiefs and Council and technicians
- First Nations legal professionals interested in advancing the Indigenous Justice Strategy and First Nations Chapter priorities
- First Nations youth
- Lawyers
- Law Students
There is a fee to register for in-person attendance and virtual registration is provided at no cost.
Please select from the options below to register:
- In-Person: April 2-3, 2025, 9:00am-5:00pm PT
- Online: April 2-3, 2025, 9:00am-5:00pm PT
Virtual participants will receive an email closer to the Forum date with information including:
- Virtual meeting link.
- French language simultaneous translation will only be available online.
The AFN is inviting law students attending law schools in Canada who are interested in participating in-person at the forum, to submit a one-page statement indicating why you are interested in the topic of the forum, Revitalization of First Nations Laws and Legal Orders, along with a resume for consideration. Please send submissions to the AFN Justice Sector, via email to [email protected], by no later than Friday, February 28, 2025. The registration fee, travel and accommodations will be covered for up to 10 law students. Those selected will be asked to provide a brief reflections paper after the event.
More information and updates on this National Justice Forum will be available on the AFN website (www.afn.ca).
Should you have any questions or need technical assistance, please email us at [email protected].
Accommodations
The Assembly of First Nations has arranged for a block reservation at The Westin Bayshore Vancouver. The Room Rate is $304 for single/double rooms, plus applicable taxes and fees.
The cutoff date to make reservations under the block reservation is March 3, 2025.
Reservations can be made online through The Westin Bayshore Vancouver:
For those not wishing to make a reservation online, please contact the Westin Bayshore Vancouver through the following methods:
- Toll-Free: 1-888-627-8634
- Hotel Direct: (604) 682-3377
- Reservation Fax: (604) 687-3102
- Reservations Email: [email protected]
Background
In January 2021, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was mandated to develop an Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS) to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation of Indigenous people across the justice system. The IJS would be informed by Indigenous-led engagement undertaken by communities and organizations as well as Justice Canada-led engagement to develop a culturally appropriate strategy including concrete recommendations for action.
In February 2024, the AFN released Assembly of First Nations Recommendations for a First Nations Justice Strategy (Recommendations Paper) informed by various sources and forums since 2020, including the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, AFN National Forums on policing and justice, AFN Virtual Justice Speaker Series, the 2023 Ten Years Since Spirit Matters report, and IJS engagement. This Recommendations Paper includes two main parts: (1) Reform of the criminal justice system (CJS), and (2) revitalization of First Nations traditional laws.
Part 2 of the Recommendations Report, the revitalization of First Nations traditional laws, was divided into four distinct sections (revitalization of First nations traditional laws, creation of First Nations traditional laws, administration of justice, and enforcement of Indigenous Laws in First Nations communities) and included five considerations focused on the distinction and importance of First Nations traditional laws to community, language, and culture, and four recommendations which emphasized the needs that come along with restoring, implementing, and enforcing First Nations traditional laws, legal traditions, structures, and systems.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this National Justice Forum on Revitalization of First Nations Laws and Legal Orders, please contact the Assembly of First Nations by email at [email protected].