Looking Ahead Together: Exploring an Indigenous Court for Prince Rupert
October 1, 2026
The Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society (PGUAJS) is excited to share an important first planning milestone: a discussion bringing together Indigenous justice, legal, and funding perspectives to explore the future of an Indigenous Court serving Prince Rupert and surrounding communities.
The October 1 meeting began a conversation about what a community-led, culturally grounded, and sustainable court could look like. For PGUAJS, it is an opportunity to share experience from Prince George, build relationships, and support communities as they consider their own path forward.
The initiative is at an exploratory stage. Community support, judicial involvement, funding, and operating arrangements still need to be developed; no court opening date has been established.
Community voices will shape the future
Participants emphasized that people should feel included and supported within the justice system. The next steps will centre on listening to local Nations, Elders, Indigenous organizations, and community members: understanding their priorities, explaining the Indigenous Court model, and identifying the supports needed to make it work.
Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Kitkatla, Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, Hartley Bay, Nisga’a communities, and neighbouring Nations were discussed as potential areas for engagement. Their involvement and the eventual service area will depend on their interest, direction, and capacity. Naming these communities does not imply that they have endorsed the proposal.
Transportation, housing, addictions, and the realities of remote communities will be important considerations. Participants also discussed a possible steering committee involving Elders, community representatives, and justice partners.
Who took part
Sandra Staats — Staff Lawyer, Prince Rupert Indigenous Justice Centre
Sandra works with the BC First Nations Justice Council’s Prince Rupert Indigenous Justice Centre. Her public biography describes more than 27 years of experience across criminal, family, child protection, poverty, civil litigation, and Aboriginal law. She has represented clients at every level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has extensive experience advocating for residential school survivors. Sandra will lead initial local engagement.
Read Sandra’s biography at the BC First Nations Justice Council · Read about her residential school advocacy and teaching at TRU
Jason Kelly, MBA — Executive Director, PGUAJS
Jason leads PGUAJS and brings an organizational and community justice perspective to the discussions. He holds an MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia and participates in regional Indigenous justice engagement. Jason will support stakeholder mapping, share experience from Prince George, and explore practical options for travel, engagement, and interim administration.
Tricia Pantel — Indigenous Justice Grants Manager, Law Foundation of BC
Participating in the role identified at the meeting, Tricia explained how a host organization could administer a grant, coordinate delivery, and support a developing local initiative. Her contribution helped the group consider how funding and administrative arrangements could support community ownership. The Law Foundation’s Indigenous justice work includes support for Indigenous Courts, Elders, and court coordinators.
Ashley Crate — Crown counsel participant
Ashley brought a prosecution perspective to the planning discussion. BC’s 2024–25 Public Accounts list her as Administrative Crown Counsel. Crown counsel participation is an important part of exploring how a proposed court could work within the existing justice system as community direction develops.
Kyle Schille — Crown counsel participant, Prince Rupert
Kyle is publicly listed as a Crown counsel lawyer in Prince Rupert, and provincial records identify his 2024–25 position as Administrative Crown Counsel. He is also listed on the Prince Rupert Special Events Society’s team page. His participation brings a local prosecution perspective to the conversation.
Keith Innes and Graham Kay sent regrets.
Background links lead to individual profiles where available and organizational information where a public biography was not available. Ashley’s and Kyle’s recorded administrative titles are documented in the BC 2024–25 Public Accounts.
How PGUAJS could help
Participants discussed PGUAJS serving as an interim host organization while the initiative develops its own local capacity and structure. This could include administering funding, supporting reporting, and coordinating staffing and delivery, subject to the necessary agreements.
The aim would be to support a future transition to local administration. Meaningful ownership by participating Nations and communities will remain central to the planning.
Building awareness and taking the next steps
Jason will reach out to Keith Innes, Kory Wilson, Boyd Peters, Curtis Bedwell, Faith Tait, and Anna Tonasket to build awareness and invite further discussion. This is planned outreach, rather than an announcement of their participation or endorsement.
Sandra and Jason plan to meet on November 3 to map stakeholders, clarify the proposed scope, and prepare for initial community engagement. Jason will also explore funding for travel and an in-person roundtable.
We are encouraged by this beginning and excited about the possibilities ahead. Building a court that reflects the people it serves takes listening, relationships, and sustained commitment. PGUAJS looks forward to contributing its experience and walking alongside the communities that choose to explore this work.
We will share further updates as engagement progresses and the next steps take shape.
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