welcome to NativeCourtworkers

Who We Are

Native Courtworker programs have been in existence in Canada in some form for over thirty years.  In the late 1960’s, the Department of Indian Affairs, Health and Welfare, Employment and Immigration and Secretary of State provided helped to fund the Native Courtworker pilot project.  In 1973, responsibility for the program at the federal level was assigned to the Department of Justice and was established on an ongoing basis in 1977.

In British Columbia, the Vancouver Indian Friendship Centre, Indian Homemaker’s Association, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, BC Association of Non-Status Indians, North American Indian Brotherhood and the John Howard Society, decided then to start a Courtworker program.  Under the management of the John Howard Society, a Courtworker pilot project was initiated in 1970.  By 1972 the project expanded to become the Native Courtworker Association.  In 1973, it had added counselling as a service and became the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia. (NCCABC)

The Native Courtworker program is a cost-shared program funded by the Ministry of Solicitor General and the Department of Justice.

The NCCABC is a provincial organization with a thirty-five year history of providing services to aboriginal peoples in conflict with the law.  Over fifty staff is employed, with twenty-eight of these are Courtworkers.

Native Courtworkers cover approximately 70% of the courthouses throughout the province.  The other programs consist of a Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Service and Detox Support Services in Vancouver.  This program is funded by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.  Our Aboriginal Family and Youth advocates are funded by The Law Foundation of British Columbia and the Ministry of Children and Families; as well, our administrative personnel and senior management staff.