Indigenous court arrives in Prince George

Mar 23, 2018 | 1:08 PM

PRINCE GOERGE —  It is a day of celebration for the local aboriginal community.

At least five hundred people have come from far and wide, to represent every aspect of the judicial system for the launch of an Indigenous Court at the Prince George Civic and Conference Centre.  A First Nations Court is a sentencing court and provides an indigenous perspective with a more holistic and restorative approach to sentencing.

Representatives from region’s First Nations communities are also part of the ceremonies, which is seen by those who have worked with First Nations, as a big step.

“Some of us have been advocating for this for a very long time,” says Murry Krause, former Director of Central Interior Native Health. “And I think it’s one of those things where ‘Right people, right time.’  And here it is. This is a really excellent opportunity to try and stop the cycle of people ending up on the street, ending up in jail and back on the street.”