Saskatchewan to launch Indigenous court pilot this summer

The provincial court system says it is developing an Elder‑guided Indigenous court pilot in Saskatoon with a planned launch this summer. Statistics Canada data cited in the article reports Indigenous people in Saskatchewan are incarcerated at about 19.4 times the rate of non‑Indigenous people.

The provincial court system announced it is developing an Indigenous court in Saskatoon through an Elder‑guided, co‑design process in partnership with Indigenous communities and supports. The announcement comes as new data shows Indigenous people in Saskatchewan are incarcerated at a much higher rate than non‑Indigenous people. Advocates and a local lawyer described overrepresentation as longstanding and linked to systemic and intergenerational issues. Key facts: - The province confirmed it is developing an Elder‑guided Indigenous court in Saskatoon and intends to launch a pilot this summer. - An advance contract notice for consulting services indicates the government views overrepresentation as tied to intergenerational effects of colonialism and Residential Schools and seeks a culturally relevant, restorative system. - Statistics Canada data cited in the article reports Indigenous adults in custody in Saskatchewan at about 19.4 times the rate of non‑Indigenous adults (2023/24 figures). Summary: The pilot is presented by officials as a response to longstanding overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody and will proceed as an Elder‑guided, co‑designed program with community partners. The next scheduled step reported is the planned launch of the Saskatoon pilot this summer, and the development process includes consulting and design work ahead of that start.