Justice

Mission Statement

Strengthening First Nation communities by establishing peaceful and harmonious relationships through the restoration of our traditional justice and governance processes, and community based strategies that provide healing and community safety.

Healthy, safe, self-determined First Nations who have the capacity to govern themselves according to their ancestral laws, spiritual beliefs, values, customs and traditions in accordance with their Inherent and Treaty rights.

Role

The role of the FSIN Justice Secretariat is to advance the governance agenda directed by the Indian Justice Commission.  The Secretariat focuses on legislative, policy, framework and justice institutional development, while supporting First Nations in fulfilling their goals and aspirations within their respective territories.

Indian Justice Commission

  1. The Indian Justice Commission ensures that First Nations’ Inherent and Treaty rights with respect to First Nations legislative and governance processes are recognized and acknowledged by governments. It promotes the authority of First Nations to design their own governance structures and processes that meet their identified needs.The Commission oversees the implementation progress of the justice resolutions passed during the Chiefs-in-Assembly forums and provides assistance as required. This fiscal year, discussions relating to a governance policy framework that will complement the First Nation RCMP Policing Framework Agreement began with Canada, Saskatchewan and the RCMP. Additionally, an Audit Committee for the Oversight Body will be established to provide ongoing advice to the Special Investigations Unit.The mandate of the Commission is to:
    1. Ensure that First Nations’ Inherent rights, Treaty rights and their rights derived from First Nation legislation with respect to First Nations Just Relations and governance processes are recognized;
    2. Pursue the implementation of the Just Relations components of Treaty entered into between First Nations and the Federal Crown;Ensure the fiscal obligation of the Crown for the establishment of First Nations Just Relations processes and entities shall include, but not be limited to, resources to undertake development, research, executive management, professional services, contractual arrangements with other governments, administration, and capital requirements;
    3. Assist in the development and implementation of Just Relations processes that serve First Nations’ Governments which are consistent with the Spirit and Intent of Treaty;
    4. Ensure that First Nations’ jurisdiction regarding Just Relations and governance processes are based on First Nations’ Government principles that include but are not limited to:
      1. Mutual Recognition – First Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan will acknowledge and respect each other’s rights, laws and institutions, and will cooperate for mutual benefit;
      2. Reciprocity – First Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan will ensure that legislation and policies enacted by any one government will recognize the jurisdiction and rights of the other, where appropriate;
      3. Respect – There will be positive mutual regard between and among the governments, recognizing diversity and encouraging the free and open exchange of views;
      4. Sharing – The intergovernmental relationship carries with it both benefits and responsibilities; it will provide access to equal opportunities, reduce disparities and provide comparable services to all citizens;
      5. Accountability – There will be processes that will ensure transparency, disclosure and redress incorporated into the intergovernmental relationship;
      6. Certainty – There will be an acceptable degree of certainty about the obligations, rights and responsibilities of each government, along with the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances.
      7. Support the authority, jurisdiction and accountability of individual First Nations and the Tribal, Agency and Grand Councils with respect to Just Relations development;
      8. Ensure that in matters of Just Relations development, First Nations laws, customs, traditions, cultures, values, languages, governance, emphasis on community-based processes and Elder involvement are maintained.

The Indian Justice Commission consists of fifteen (15) members representing all Tribal/Grand/Agency Councils and independent First Nations in Saskatchewan who are signatory to the FSIN Convention. The FSIN Executive Member responsible for the Justice portfolio chairs the Commission meetings.

Decisions made by a majority of the voting members present at a duly convened meeting of the Commission, at which a quorum is present, binds all members of the Commission. It is the objective of the Commission to reach consensus on all justice related issues that are brought forward as resolutions to the Legislative Assembly of Chiefs.