Culturally Responsive Legal Support Rooted in Justice, Healing, and Community
Honouring Indigenous Perspectives in the Criminal Justice System
Canada’s legal system is beginning to recognize what Indigenous communities have long understood: justice is not one-size-fits-all. Indigenous-based criminal justice approaches offer culturally grounded alternatives that prioritize:
Understanding Gladue: More Than a Sentencing Tool
If you are an Indigenous person involved in the criminal justice system, your background matters, and must be considered. The Gladue principles, based on the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v. Gladue, require courts to consider the unique circumstances of Indigenous offenders at various stages of the legal process.
Gladue May Apply At Multiple Stages:
Alternative Indigenous Justice Practices
Many Indigenous communities have long practiced restorative and community-led justice. These systems prioritize:
Elise Brass: Lived Experience. Trusted Skill.
As a criminal defence lawyer of Indigenous descent, Elise Brass brings more than legal knowledge, she brings lived experience. Her deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous peoples within the criminal justice system informs every decision she makes and every client she advocates for.
At Aitken Robertson, Elise leads with empathy, cultural insight, and unwavering commitment. Whether preparing Gladue submissions or navigating clients through culturally appropriate diversion programs, Elise ensures each person’s story is heard, respected, and placed within its full cultural and historical context.
With Elise Brass on your side, you gain more than a defence lawyer. You gain an advocate who truly understands.
Why It Matters
The overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s justice system is not just a statistic, but rather a deep and ongoing injustice.
Gladue principles and Indigenous-led alternatives are not about leniency. They’re about understanding where someone comes from, what they’ve lived through, and what they need to heal.
This is about responding in a way that respects culture, supports accountability, and helps people find their way back to community. It’s not about punishing them, but walking with them toward something better.
How We Help
We provide comprehensive legal support tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous individuals and communities:
