Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS)
Aboriginal Legal Services believes that Indigenous People require equitable treatment in the justice system, access to the legal and related resources within the justice system, as well an understanding of the system and their options. They provide advocacy in all areas of the law, as well as alternatives that can break the cycles of recidivism and dependency, including the Giiwedin Anang Council, which is an Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution (IFRD) program. The Council is made up of staff from Aboriginal Legal Services and volunteers from the Indigenous community, who gather in a Talking Circle to guide families through their difficult situations. This approach supports families at all levels of conflict, from access and custody disputes to apprehensions and placement by child welfare agencies.
Aboriginal Legal Services developed the Community Council, which was the first urban Indigenous justice program in Canada, is among the busiest Indigenous justice programs in the country and a case study across the country.
ALS also worked with the Ontario Court of Justice to create the first Indigenous Peoples’ Court/Gladue Courts, which handle the cases of Indigenous persons who have been charged with a criminal offence and applies Canadian law, but also include Indigenous cultural practices and concepts of justice, such as restorative justice. There are now two, purpose-built Gladue Courts at the new Toronto Courthouse.
We use advocacy and culture to address the over representation of Indigenous People in the Criminal Justice system in Canada and are looking for long-term funding to purchase a permanent home for the organization, as well as expand programming, such as our Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution (IFRD) program.
Clients must be Indigenous
