Stop the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in BC prisons!

This petition conforms to the standards of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and Bill M-210


To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled

The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the Province of British Columbia, states that:

The present justice system betrays Indigenous youth in this province. The statistics indicate that although many Indigenous youth comprise only the 7% of the population in BC, they represent approximately 40% of those in custody. This over representation is not simply because of individual crimes. It reflects broader, entrenched systemic issues that include intergenerational trauma from the Indian Residential School system and other predatory colonial practices. This government should be using the justice system as an opportunity for the healing and rehabilitation of Indigenous youth, rather than condemning them to a life of crime and punishment.

Your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House take such action as may be deemed appropriate.

Dated the 29th day of April, 2026.


Signatures

Produced in association with British Columbia First Peoples' Studies 12