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Key Indigenous Legal Resources and Referrals

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 Posted by Rachel Carlson

To mark this year's Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we wanted to provide a list of key plain-language legal information resources and referral options that may be helpful for your Indigenous patrons experiencing legal problems.  

Legal Resources: 

A great place to start is the Legal Information for Indigenous People wikibook. This title from the Bella Coola Legal Advocacy Program provides basic and accessible legal information for Indigenous people facing legal issues, including dealing with the justice system, family law, human rights, Aboriginal protections, wills and estates, and income security.  

There is also a sister publication, Legal Information for Indigenous People: National Edition, which includes information on additional areas like prisons, crossing the border, and the Indian Act. You should have copies of both of these titles in your print collection, courtesy of LawMatters.  

Another option is the Aboriginal Legal Aid website. This site, created and maintained by Legal Aid BC, has information for Indigenous people in BC on a variety of legal areas, including family law, child protection, criminal law, and harvesting rights. They also discuss legal issues that may come up while living on reserve, like income assistance, wills and estates, and laws about who can live in the home on reserve after separation or death. Some of this information is available in PDF publications which can be downloaded and printed from their Resource page. 

Referral options:  

  • Indigenous Justice Centres (IJC): the Centres provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support, and representation to Indigenous people dealing with criminal matters and child protection matters. There are 16 physical IJCs around the province and a virtual IJC to provide remote assistance for those who are not located near a physical location. Services are free and are available to all Indigenous people, including those who do not qualify for legal aid. Find contact information for individual locations on their website.  

  • Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC: Native Courtworkers work throughout BC and can help Indigenous people accused of a crime through the criminal justice system process, helping them understand the nature of the charge, their rights and options, and court procedures. They also provide direct support to the First Nations Courts in New Westminster and Duncan. Learn more about First Nations Courts here: https://aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca/courts-criminal-cases/first-nations-court  

  • Indigenous Disability Canada / BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society: this organization provides services to Indigenous people living with disabilities. They can help people navigate and access services, obtain necessary information to get the Persons with Disabilities designation, and much more.  

  • AC Friends of Court provides help with completing legal forms, swearing affidavits, and preparing for appearing in court. They can help Indigenous clients in many areas, including completing claims for the Indian Boarding Homes Program class action, employment law, family law, human rights, and tenancy.  

You can also search for organizations that provide legal services to Indigenous people in your region on Clicklaw Services (using the Services for filter) and PovNet's Find an Advocate tool (select the Indigenous Legal Issues tag).