Aboriginal Justice in Our Times Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2009
Contact: Kevin Smith, Communications & Event Coordinator   
604-660-0588

Aboriginal Justice Event Reveals Startling Statistics, Hope for Change

Vancouver, BC – Aboriginal Justice in Our Times, a speaking event that featured four prominent members of BC’s Aboriginal community, is now available online in video format at www.JusticeInOurTimes.ca.

The Law Courts Education Society (LCES) coordinated the event, which is part of the organization’s 20th anniversary speakers’ series. An audience filled the Chief Simon Baker Room at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre to watch passionate speeches and engaging discussions.

Hugh Braker, QC, president of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC, began the event by speaking about the province’s Aboriginal youth. Braker used startling statistics – such as how Aboriginal youth are about 600 times more likely to be removed from their home than non-Aboriginal youth – to illustrate his opinion that the best analysis of how society treats its minorities and ethnic groups is to look at how it treats youth.

Following Braker was the Honourable Judge Marion Buller Bennett, whose First Nations Court uses restorative justice to achieve a 0% recidivism rate among offenders who complete their healing plans.

Gerry Oleman, a community support worker with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, then spoke about how he thinks the justice system needs to change in order to better provide justice for Aboriginal peoples.

Finally, Grand Chief Edward John, a lawyer and member of the First Nations Summit Task Group, detailed how the relationship between the Crown and Aboriginals is shifting from one of denial to one of recognition.

The four speakers then engaged in a moderated discussion as well as a question and answer segment with the audience.

“The speakers did a tremendous job of addressing current Aboriginal justice issues, such as how BC’s justice system can better serve our Aboriginal community,” said the Honourable Judge Pedro de Couto, president of the LCES and the event’s moderator.

About the Law Courts Education Society
Since 1989, the Law Courts Education Society (LCES) has been dedicated to improving access to the legal system through hands-on, targeted, two-way education between the public and those working in the justice system. As a non-profit organization with ongoing public and private sector financial and volunteer support, the LCES is able to offer a unique and comprehensive collection of justice related educational services and effectively work towards creating a justice system that is accessible to all.

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For more information please contact:

Rick Craig  
Executive Director  
Law Courts Education Society of BC 
604-660-3191      

Kevin Smith
Communications and Event Coordinator
 Law Courts Education Society of BC
604-660-0588