About the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute

The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) serves as a justice focused organization that is both proactive and reactive in its response to the pervasive institutional racism experienced by people of African descent in their interactions with policing, the courts, prison, and related systems. Taking on legal cases, providing court support and creating unique legal education opportunities for Black and African Nova Scotians are just a few of the initiatives underway at the ANSJI.

The Province of Nova Scotia policies were built on racist laws, and practices, including slavery and segregation, that structured and continue to limit access to power, opportunities, and resources based on race. The criminal justice system has played an integral role in maintaining the relative economic, educational, political, and social segregation and marginalization of African Nova Scotians and Mi’kmaq.

The ANSJI has grown out of the communities’ desire to design a body focused solely on carrying out an African Nova Scotian Justice Strategy led by African Nova Scotians.

Given the current state of affairs on street checks, the continued treatment and over representation of African Nova Scotians in the Criminal Justice System and building on reports such as the Donald Marshall Jr. Commission, the ANSJI recognizes that it is time for a major overhaul of not only policing but all other facets of criminal justice system, policy, and practices to ensure fair, legal and constitutional treatment of Black and African Nova Scotians.

ANSDPAD and ANSJI Timeline
ANSDPAD and ANSJI Timeline
ANSDPAD and ANSJI Timeline – Text version

This figure shows the ANSDPAD and ANSJI Timeline

2016 – ANSDPAD formed

  • Following the UN Working Group of Experts visit to Canada the ANSDPAD was formed to address issues within the African NS community

2017 – Formation of Justice Strategy Working Group (JSWG)

  • The JSWG was formed to tackle access to justice, over policing, over incarceration, and anti-black racism in all dimensions of the criminal justice system

Fall 2019 – ANSJI proposal drafted by JSWG

Oct 2019 – ANSJI proposal submitted

  • The proposal was completed and submitted to the NS Department of Justice

July 2021 – Funding announcement

  • The NS government announced a 4.8 million dollar investment in the creation of the ANSJI

August 2021 – Funding announcement

  • The Federal government announced funding for the National IRCA Training Project

August 22 – ANSJI official community launch

Dec 2022 – Funding announcement

  • The NS government announced an additional $4.1 million in funding for ANSJI Programs

March 2023 – Funding annoucement

  • The Federal government announced JPIP funding