Overcoming Systemic Discrimination Against Aboriginal People in Saskatchewan: Brief to the Indian Justice Review Committee and the Metis Justice Review Committee

• NCJ Number: 150844
• Author(s): J Harding; Y Kly; D MacDonald
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 32 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Regina
• Sale Source: University of Regina
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: Occasional Paper No. 8.

Annotation

This report reviews various issues related to the administration of justice regarding Aboriginal peoples in Saskatchewan.

Abstract

The statistics presented here indicate there has historically been a disproportionately high rate of incarceration of Aboriginal people in the province. By the 1970's, 65 percent of all incarcerated males and 90 percent of incarcerated females in the province were Aboriginals. The authors of this report contend that the period was marked by massive urbanization, cultural conflict, and serious incidents of police brutality and racism; institutionalization may have been one means of trying to achieve the government's apparent goal of forced assimilation. The government has attributed the disproportionate number of Aboriginal inmates to native criminality, lack of education, alcohol abuse, and changing demographics. The report points to high rates of intermarriage, unemployment, death from accidents and violence, and suicide as indicating of social, economic, and political oppression. Aboriginal people will enjoy full justice only when systemic discrimination is addressed, criminal justice personnel are educated to work with ethnic minorities, a model of consociated democracy is adopted in Saskatchewan, and past instances of injustice are rectified. 39 notes and 5 appendixes