The Indigenous Justice Centre provides legal services for Indigenous youth and adults who are charged under the Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act or the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA). IJC provides legal services for those with matters in Calgary Indigenous Court (CIC), youth court, drug court, domestic violence court and other criminal courts.
Our Services
Wrap-Around Supports
The IJC provides justice navigation with wrap-around support services including assisting with basic needs, resources and referrals
Legal Representation
The IJC's Legal Clinic provides legal representation for criminal matters including bail hearings, guilty pleas and trials
Advancing Cultural Spaces
The IJC provides a culturally safe space for Indigenous peoples to access justice supports
Our Story
The Board of Directors was established with the innovative vision and hard work of a dedicated group of local lawyers, and Indigenous community justice professionals who commenced discussions in June of 2022.
The vision of the Centre was co-developed and created through several months of discussions and consultations with government, Elders and community members. The goal of the IJC was to establish an Indigenous law clinic with wraparound support services.
In April 2023, the Alberta Law Foundation graciously supported this vision and provided funding to open the first Indigenous Justice Centre in Alberta. While the foundation was established, the IJC was developing as it was operating throughout 2023 and early 2024.
On June 17, 2024, the Indigenous Justice Centre of Alberta (IJC) had our opening ceremony at the Harley Hotchkiss Park. This formally launched our work to community to highlight our role in the justice sector and within community.
The IJC provides culturally competent frontline legal representation from a restorative approach by implementing Indigenous traditional perspectives of justice in parallel with western justice practices to address the underlying Gladue factors that led to the criminalization and over representation of Indigenous Peoples. This is supported with wrap- around services from Justice Navigators.
We are a team committed to supporting Indigenous peoples every step of the way through their journey through the justice system.
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Restorative Justice
The Indigenous Justice Centre of Alberta supports and collaborates with the Calgary Indigenous Court (located in the Calgary Courthouse) to provide consistent and relevant legal services related to the needs of Indigenous People, especially when it comes to improving access to culturally relevant legal representation. People with matters in the Indigenous court will have a stronger and more structured approach that aligns more consistently with the intent and spirit of the Indigenous court by taking a restorative approach to justice.
Contact Us
We are here to help.
Contact us by email, phone or using the contact form.
587-943-7747
info@ijcalberta.ca
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
8:30am-4:30pm