Justice for First Nation and Metis people is a concept that embodies aspects other than just the criminal justice system and the involvement of Aboriginal people in that system. Such aspects include, for example, First Nation people seeking, through the courts, resolution of issues arising from Treaty rights, land claims and environmental concerns.

The 1991 Justice on Trial "Report of the Task Force on the Criminal Justice System and Its Impact on the Indian and Metis People of Alberta noted that, ". . . the impact of the criminal justice system on Aboriginal people can be measured by the disproportionate number of people in our correctional institutions. Aboriginal people are often on the receiving end of what appears to be a foreign system of justice delivered, in large measure, by non-Aboriginals."

The disproportionate representation of Aboriginal people at all stages of the justice system, both as victims and offenders, continues to be a significant issue. A number of programs and initiatives have been developed by Alberta Justice and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security to address this issue. For more information on these initiatives, see the Annual Summary of Aboriginal Justice Programs and Initiatives, 2006.