Native courtworkers left to ponder future

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The very people who need help most are being hit the hardest by provincial cutbacks, said Gord Edwards, regional manager of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia (NCCABC) at a meeting at Hupacasath Hall the end of May.

"We're very concerned about provincial cutbacks which are going to affect us. The government has already announced the closure of all Native community law offices and have scaled back legal aid services, and this will have a big effect on First Nations people," said Edwards.

For the past 27 years, the NCCABC has provided assistance to Aboriginal people in conflict with the law, ensuring they participate fully in the justice system through a holistic approach to prevention and intervention.

In Nuu-chah-nulth territory, Tseshaht's Boyd Gallic is the Native court worker who works with people in the court system to help them understand all aspects of the Canadian judicial system.

Already bogged down with heavy caseloads, the 48 Native court workers throughout the province are trying to fight against provincial cutbacks to legal services, but are not meeting with much success yet.

According to Edwards, the NCCABC worked with 2,200 out of a total population of 6,000 First Nations people in Nanaimo last year alone,and he doesn't see those numbers changing anytime soon.

After further discussion on challenges facing the association, the more than 20 people in attendance elected Hugh Braker to return as West Coast Vancouver Island board member, replacing Cindi Stevens who has been the board member for the past two years, and who will continue to serve as the auxiliary board member for the area.

Braker thanked those in attendance, and announced his intention to run for the position of NCCABC president within the next few weeks.