Gladue Reports: Centering Story, Culture, and Justice

When an Indigenous person appears before the court, their story deserves to be heard in full — not just through charges and paperwork, but in the context of history, culture, and lived experience. That’s the purpose of a Gladue Report.

Gladue principles are part of Canadian law. They recognize that the impacts of colonialism, like residential schools, racism, displacement, and child welfare involvement, contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system. A Gladue report gives the court a fuller picture of someone’s background — including the systemic and personal factors that shaped their life — and offers restorative, community-based alternatives to jail.

What’s Involved?

A trained Gladue Writer interviews the individual, their family, and community members. The report includes:

• Personal history and community connection

• Cultural identity and intergenerational impacts

• Strengths, challenges, and recommendations for healing-focused sentencing

Who Can Access a Gladue Report?

If you are Indigenous and involved in the justice system — whether at bail, sentencing, or another stage — you may be eligible. A lawyer or court official typically requests the report, but you can also contact a Gladue service provider directly.

Serving New Brunswick

• Eastern Region (Restigouche to Albert County)
  Contact: Mi’gmaq Justice Initiative (MJI)
  📞 (506) 251-9248 | ✉️ gladue@migmaqjustice.org

• Western Region (Madawaska to Queens County)
  Contact: WTCI (Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc.)
  📞 1-506-459-6341 | ✉️ gladue@wolastoqey.ca

Gladue is more than a report — it's a tool for healing, fairness, and change.
If you or someone you know needs support, reach out.