(Image Credit: Screenshot of indigenous.plea.org)

By paNOW Staff

Navigating the law

PLEA launches new legal resources for Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan

Mar 31, 2026 | 3:21 PM

The Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA) has launched a new set of plain-language legal resources aimed at helping Indigenous communities better understand and navigate the law.

The project includes a new website, print materials and educational tools tailored specifically to Indigenous audiences; however, the information can be useful to everyone.

“PLEA is very grateful to the Department of Justice Canada for providing the funding for PLEA to address a persistent gap in our plain-language legal information – legal information for Indigenous communities – and for the generous participation in this project from Indigenous communities and members,” said Joel Janow, executive director of PLEA.

He said the initiative comes in response to longstanding gaps in access to justice. Indigenous people are disproportionately represented in both the criminal justice and child welfare systems, and are also affected by distinct legal frameworks, including the Indian Act and Treaty rights.

“For example, laws are different on reserve with respect to debts and credit. It’s different with respect to matrimonial property, and those are just two areas where we hear about differences,” said Janow. “It’s not so much addressing the differences as it is getting clear, plain language information to Indigenous communities so they can understand them better, navigate the legal system better, and exercise rights.”

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Janow said PLEA’s role has always been to make the law easier to understand for everyone.

“Well, PLEA is a non-profit, non-government organization, been in existence since 1980, so many decades now. And in a nutshell, what we do is provide the public with education and information about the law and do that various ways,” he said.

That includes outreach programs in schools and communities, printed materials and online resources presented in language at about the Grade 8 reading level.

The newly launched website provides information on topics such as criminal law, treaties, wills and estates, and child protection. It will also include videos in Cree, developed in consultation with Indigenous communities. Some of those video resources are still being finalized.

Janow said the ultimate goal is to give people the knowledge they need to understand and use the law in their daily lives.

“To say that you’ve got rights is one thing, but a person must know of those rights to exercise them,” he said. “So [this is] simply just a tool to better help navigate life.”

PLEA worked closely with Indigenous leaders and communities throughout the project to ensure the materials were useful and culturally appropriate.

All print resources developed through the project are available free of charge through PLEA’s website.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com