Legal Resources

This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people across the continent who are facing legal issues. It provides a national perspective on topics covered in the BC-specific booklet, including your rights and protections, restorative justice, child protection, prisons, crossing the border, wills and estates, and benefits...

This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people facing legal issues. Topics include justice systems, children and families, rights and protections, death and taxes, income security, and class actions. It explains how the laws can vary for people based on their Indigeneity.

Describes Parents Legal Centres (PLCs), a Legal Aid BC service that provides a free lawyer and an advocate to help parents address child protection issues early on. The service is available to eligible parents any time after the social worker contacts them.

Illustrated booklet that explains the child protection process for Aboriginal children and families. Describes delegated Aboriginal agencies, mediation, the court process, and the Family Extended Program. Has a flow chart of the child protection process.

This chapter provides an overview of the ways some laws apply differently to specific communities regarding family law problems. It covers Indigenous families, newcomers to Canada, same-sex relationships, and issues affecting transgender and transsexual people.

Describes the challenges Aboriginal families and communities face when there’s abuse and family violence. Explains types of abuse that are against the law, and where victims can get help and support services. Includes information on who can stay in the family home on reserve.

Explains what delegated Aboriginal agencies are and what their role is in the Aboriginal community. Also includes information for Aboriginal parents on what they can do if they’re being investigated for a child protection matter.

Sometimes people responsible for a child disagree with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Aboriginal child and family service agency about a child’s safety. Child protection mediation is a way to make a plan for a child’s safety with the help of an impartial person called a mediator.

Identifies the law around child protection for Aboriginal children in BC, sets out some aspects of the child protection/removal process, and explains parents’ and the band’s rights and responsibilities.

Information and self-help guides on family law in BC. Topics covered include abuse, adoption, child protection/removal, common-law relationships, custody and access, divorce and separation, child support, and spousal support.