Aboriginal Legal Services
Strengthening the voices of Aboriginal communities in the justice system
Aboriginal Legal Services entrusted Changemakers’ Reconciliation Group to conduct a multi-phase needs assessment of the newest Gladue court in Toronto. A Gladue court focuses on criminal offence cases involving an Indigenous defendant.
This included helping Aboriginal Legal Services to identify common gaps and challenges that Indigenous clients face when accessing Gladue court and related legal services. The project sought to understand the specific needs of Indigenous people involved in the criminal court system, and how organizations such as Aboriginal Legal Services can advocate for the implementation of Indigenous justice principles within the broader context of the court system.
To support Aboriginal Legal Services, ChangeMakers:
- Interviewed key informants from across a broad range of backgrounds including community members and legal professionals;
- Conducted desktop research and environmental scans that were local, provincial and national in scope;
- Undertook a three-phase needs assessment;
- Prepared reports summarizing findings; and
- Provided recommendations on governance and possible decision-making structures.