Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia
Organization profile published 1977
Year Published: 1977
Resource Type: Organization
Cx Number: CX882
The Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia was formed in 1973 in response to the fact that whereas Indians represented 5 per cent of the general population, they represented a disproportionate percentage of the people admitted to Correctional Centres, 14.2 per cent in 1974.
Abstract:
The Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia was formed in 1973 in response to the fact that whereas Indians represented 5 per cent of the general population, they represented a disproportionate percentage of the people admitted to Correctional Centres, 14.2 per cent in 1974. This inmate percentage dropped to 13 per cent by 1976.
At a policy meeting in June, 1978, the Association adopted the following statement of objectives:
To give native people in the Province of British Columbia more knowledge of their rights and responsibilities in the justice system, and to increase understanding and acceptance of the circumstances and culture of native people, in order to reduce the amount of conflict between native people and the justice system.
The Association is primarily involved in the provision of courtworker services to native people. However, it is also active in the following areas: (1) Prison Liaison Work, providing services within Correctional Centres; (2) Research, especially of the problem native people have relating to white society and its justice system; (3) Training, a priority of the Association in its desire for effective service delivery, with a major focus on developing detailed manuals for staff in such areas as civil liberties, hunting and fishing rights, family law, diversion; (4) Children's Rights, including apprehension and family education; (5) Community Legal Education, using pamphlets and audio-visual (slide) presentations; (6) Native Involvement in the Justice System, employing community diversion projects and developing Native Justice Councils; (7) Sensitization Workshops, for R.C.M.P. and Federal Penitentiary Services; (8) Alcohol Treatment. The Association also has a small publication list.
This organization no longer exists.
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