The Nicola Valley Indigenous Justice Centre provides enhanced legal services to Indigenous individuals who could be facing jail and to Indigenous families that could see the removal of their children.  It also provides support and services to Indigenous communities in reclaiming justice processes and institutions. The Centre also coordinates with other agencies in the community to enhance justice-related services to Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.

The services that are provided by the Indigenous Justice Centre are inspired by the agreements made in the First Nations Justice Strategy. This includes:

• To help reduce the number of Indigenous people who are involved in the criminal justice system.
• To help improve the experience of those who are involved in the criminal justice system.
• To support and advocate reconciliation for Indigenous communities to restore their justice system and structures.

At present the Centre has a supervising lawyer, two part-time lawyers, two full-time community outreach workers, and a gladue report writer, also, it is guided by the Elders who are members of the NVCJSS.

For more information please visit https://bcfnjc.com/indigenous-justice-centres-in-british-columbia/

Nicola Valley Indigenous Justice Centre Contact List:

Cliff Thorstenston (Supervising Lawyer) - 250 315 8095 

Aaron Sumexheltza (Lawyer) - 250 315 7563

Pamela Shields (Family and Child Protection Lawyer) - 604 793 5817

Stephanie Archie (Youth and Family Outreach Worker) - 250 280 4194

Christina Leo (Criminal and Corrections Outreach Worker) - 250 280 4193

Amery Schultz (Gladue Report Writer) - 778 763 4316

Located at - 1999 Voght St. Merritt B.C. Hours - Temporary Hours of operation at this time due to Covid-19.