Request a Gladue Report
If you or someone you know is Indigenous and involved in the justice system, you may be eligible for a Gladue report. The Mi’gmaq Justice Initiative offers culturally grounded support to help ensure your unique circumstances are heard in court. Fill out the form below to begin your Gladue application. Our team will respond within two business days.
Why Gladue Reports Matter?
For generations, Indigenous peoples have faced the interwoven harms of colonialism, trauma, and displacement — experiences that continue to impact families, communities, and individual lives today. When an Indigenous person becomes involved in the criminal justice system, those deeper stories are often left out of the courtroom.
Gladue reports exist to change that.
Gladue Reports:
Address the root causes of involvement with the law, including residential school trauma, disconnection from land and culture, systemic racism, and involvement with child protection systems.
Promote justice that reflects Indigenous values like healing, accountability, and community restoration — not just punishment.
Build understanding within the legal system, helping judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel consider culturally appropriate options and restorative pathways.
Gladue reports are not excuses — they are truth-telling tools that help the court understand the “why” behind the charges, and recognize the strength and resilience behind each individual’s story.
When courts understand the full context, they can make better, fairer, and more culturally relevant decisions — decisions that open the door to healing, not just sentencing.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for a Gladue report, you must be Indigenous and currently involved in the criminal justice system with or without a lawyer — whether at a bail hearing, sentencing, or another stage where Gladue principles may apply.
You may be eligible if you:
Are registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
Are a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis person
Are a member of a recognized Indigenous community
Have a proven ancestral connection and can show community acceptance
Can provide other evidence of Indigenous identity accepted by our team
Note: You do not need to have a lawyer to apply, but legal counsel is recommended and can help request the report in court.
What Happens Next?
Once your request is received:
A Gladue team member will reach out to confirm your eligibility.
If approved, you’ll be scheduled for an intake interview with a Gladue Writer.
The report process will begin, with your consent and full participation.
All information shared is confidential and handled with cultural care and respect.
Meet Our Gladue Writer
Shaunessy is a proud Mi’gmaq woman from Natoaganeg First Nation and the author of Dying to Please You: Indigenous Suicide in Contemporary Canada. With a deep passion for community building and mental health advocacy, Shaunessy is committed to breaking down systemic barriers and fostering resilience within Indigenous communities.
As a mother to two amazing boys (18) and (5), Shaunessy draws daily inspiration from her family to create a brighter and more equitable future for all Indigenous peoples. We’re so excited to have Shaunessy on board, bringing her dedication and expertise to support our communities.