Indigenous Courts in Indigenous Communities

The Court holds special hearings in different indigenous communities. At the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, a restorative court model started in 1993 which promotes community involvement in the court process. A local justice committee provides recommendations for sentencing options as well as assistance to the court in identifying appropriate community-based alternatives.

At the Siksika Nation, the Provincial Court of Alberta sits on the reserve and has been served since 1998 by a Judge of Aboriginal heritage and a dedicated Crown prosecutor from the Calgary Crown Prosecutors’ office. This arrangement permits the Crown prosecutor to form a close working relationship with the Nation and supports the provision of culturally sensitive prosecution services.

The first Aboriginal Court in Canada was the Tsuu T’ina First Nation Court (or Peacemaking Court), established in October 2000. The Tsuu T’ina Court has jurisdiction over criminal, youth, and bylaw offences committee on the Tsuu T’ina reserve. The Tsuu T’ina Court is a marriage of two separate systems: the Alberta Provincial Court and the Peacemaker process, which work together in a unique way.