NCJ Number
156373
Journal
RCMP Gazette Volume: 57 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 2-12
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses many aspects of aboriginal justice in Canada, based on a report authored by two Canadian Associate Chief Justices.
Abstract
The report, which focused on policing practices and court administration, suggested that the justice ideology, within which Aboriginal peoples live, contributes to some degree to their overrepresentation within Canada's criminal justice system. The Aboriginal means of preserving order in their communities involves participation of community members in the resolution of conflicts, rather than State intervention. As a result, many Aborigines feels that the police are unavailable for them, and even feel that the presence of the police threatens their community. Some of the issues explored in the report include cultural differences between Aboriginal peoples and the white majority, the perception of double standards in policing, unique problems faced by native peoples in the court system, and alternate forms of justice. Understanding Aboriginal culture, alone with greater native representation within the controlling institutions of society, seems to be a good starting point for reforming Aboriginal justice. 45 notes