The MKO First Nations Justice Strategy was created in response to the 1991 Report of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba as a preliminary step toward the creation and implementation of a First Nations Justice System as recommended by the Commissioners of the Inquiry. The MKO First Nations Justice Strategy was formed through a tripartite alliance with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Manitoba Department of Justice and the Department of Justice Canada.

The MKO FNJS has been operational since 1997 and is operational in Ten of the Thirty First Nation communities within MKO's jurisdiction. The mandate of the strategy is to empower First Nations to assume direction and control of the criminal justice process, thereby creating a model which is restorative at its core, culturally relevant and effective. The strategy is a response to clearly identified concerns regarding access to and the quality of justice services in First Nations communities.

The strategy has two main components; the first being a Magistrate's Court, conducted in Cree that alternates with the Provincial Judges Court. The Magistrate's Court travels with a Crown Attorney, defense counsel, and a clerk of court to seven of the ten targeted communities. These courts are less formal and deal with matters in a more culturally relevant manner. This court also acts as a primary screening mechanism for all post charge referrals. The second main component is the formation and use of Community Justice Workers. The Community Justice Workers develop and use culturally and community appropriate methods of dealing with cases diverted to workers by the courts(post charge), the police and band constables (pre charge) and the community.