Showing 1 - 10 of 16 results

What kinds of payments or funding will not count against me?

Last updated August 22, 2025

These include: Residential Schools settlements Indian Day Schools or the Sixties Scoop Indian Boarding Homes Class Action First Nations Drinking Water Settlement First Nations Housing Class Action First Nations Child and Family Services or Jordan’s Principle Land claim or treaty settlements, including treaty annuity payments Mercury poisoning compensation (Grassy Narrows) Federal Indian Hospitals Class Action…

Does Legal Aid Ontario offer legal services for Aboriginal people?

Last updated March 7, 2023

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides eligible Aboriginal people with family and criminal law services. To provide the best service possible, lawyers who represent Aboriginal legal aid clients in criminal matters must take special training to make sure they understand the unique legal status of Aboriginal people. To find out more about eligibility for legal aid services, visit the LAO website.

Where can I find legal services and resources for Aboriginal people?

Last updated June 14, 2025

There are many community-based legal services and resources available for Aboriginal people in Ontario. Aboriginal Legal Services Operates legal-related programs for Aboriginal people in Toronto. Human Rights Legal Support Offers legal assistance to people in communities across Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination. Ministry of Indigenous Affairs Access to Ontario government…

Are the rights of Aboriginal people different from other Canadians’ rights in family law cases?

Last updated March 7, 2023

In some areas of family law, Aboriginal people have different rights under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. In many other areas they have the same rights as other Canadians. Court decisions about caring for children, parenting orders, guardianship, child and spousal support, and property laws may all take a person’s Aboriginal heritage into account. Letting…

How does the Child, Youth and Family Services Act affect Aboriginal people’s family law cases?

Last updated March 7, 2023

The Child, Youth and Family Services Act considers the unique legal status of Aboriginal people in Canada. In family law issues, parts of the Act take into account the family’s Aboriginal culture and heritage in deciding the “best interests” of a child. This means that in decisions about Aboriginal children, the courts must consider “the uniqueness of…

What does it mean for an Aboriginal person to self-identify?

Last updated March 7, 2023

If you are an Aboriginal person entering the justice system, you should identify yourself as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person so duty counsel or your lawyer can follow the areas of law that deal with Aboriginal rights. In other words, you should tell duty counsel or your lawyer that you are an Aboriginal person. You should…

Why is it important that you self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit?

Last updated March 7, 2023

Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act and Child, Youth and Family Services Act all have parts that consider the special legal status of Aboriginal people in Canada. If you self-identify as Aboriginal, your lawyer can make sure that Gladue factors and principles are applied to your legal case. Gladue refers to a right that all Aboriginal people have under the Criminal Code. Telling your lawyer you are…

Where are Gladue services available?

Last updated March 8, 2023

Gladue-related services are offered at courts in Toronto, Hamilton, Brantford, the Waterloo-Wellington area, London, and Sarnia. In Toronto, London, and Sarnia there are dedicated Gladue courts. There are also Aboriginal Courtwork programs in many courts across Canada.


Showing 1 - 10 of 16 results