Colonial systems have been working to oppress Indigenous people since European colonizers first arrived in North America. Though as history has gone on and awareness has been spread, there are still many active colonial systems in Canada today that are still actively creating a negative impact on Indigenous people. One major example of these systems is the justice system. In David Milward’s Reconciliation & Indigenous Justice: A Search for Ways Forward, Milward investigates these systems and goes through proposed solutions to help stop the discrimination that Indigenous people face in the justice system.
Indigenous people in Canada make up approximately five percent of Canada’s population yet make up over thirty percent of adults admitted …show more content…
105). Milward goes on to make arguments supporting this programming. He first points out how government budgets are often spending large amounts on the justice system, and how this could be prevented by relocating spending to aid social programs, especially in less privileged communities (Milward, 2022, pp. 105-106). The. These programs can help steer potential offenders away from offending- therefore helping people avoid the justice system altogether (Milward, 2022, pp. 105-106). The. Funding can also be allocated towards strengthening the “correctional and supervisory services” for any people who do end up committing offences (Milward, 2022, p. 106). Not only does Milward make an argument from a financial standpoint, but he continues on to make an argument towards a social justice perspective- specifically regarding reparations (2022, p. 109). The modern-day government of Canada has had a complicated relationship with its Indigenous people, especially when it comes to topics such as rights, equity, reconciliation, and reparations; putting more effort into social programs, specifically for Indigenous people, is a way for the Canadian government to put its best foot forward in its relationship with Indigenous people (Milward, 2022, pp. 109-114. See also This brings forth Millward's final point: though …show more content…
In order to understand where Milward’s points are coming from, it is a good idea to come to a general understanding of these ways of justice. Indigenous ways of justice focus on offender responsibility and investigates the circumstances that led up to the offence being committed (Milward, 2022, pp. 161 - 163. Milward explains that, though there are some circumstances where it is reasonable to consider the offender’s circumstances, in more major crimes, such as murder, it may seem as if the crime committed is being downplayed (2022, 164). Milward also points out that- though Indigenous ways of justice have worked out in the past- more modern adaptations of these systems may become problematic (2022, p. 152). He suggests that national documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, may help ensure Indigenous systems stay just (Milward, 2022, p. 153). There is also the worry that- though use of Indigenous justice shows promising results in terms of participant satisfaction- lack of resources may bring down the effectiveness of these systems (Milward, 2022, p. 155). In my opinion, if done correctly, Indigenous ways of justice would be a great form of reconciliation. In modern-day Canada, the justice system is one of the most prevalent forms of colonial oppression against Indigenous people. If we use the justice system
Indigenous people in Canada make up approximately five percent of Canada’s population yet make up over thirty percent of adults admitted …show more content…
105). Milward goes on to make arguments supporting this programming. He first points out how government budgets are often spending large amounts on the justice system, and how this could be prevented by relocating spending to aid social programs, especially in less privileged communities (Milward, 2022, pp. 105-106). The. These programs can help steer potential offenders away from offending- therefore helping people avoid the justice system altogether (Milward, 2022, pp. 105-106). The. Funding can also be allocated towards strengthening the “correctional and supervisory services” for any people who do end up committing offences (Milward, 2022, p. 106). Not only does Milward make an argument from a financial standpoint, but he continues on to make an argument towards a social justice perspective- specifically regarding reparations (2022, p. 109). The modern-day government of Canada has had a complicated relationship with its Indigenous people, especially when it comes to topics such as rights, equity, reconciliation, and reparations; putting more effort into social programs, specifically for Indigenous people, is a way for the Canadian government to put its best foot forward in its relationship with Indigenous people (Milward, 2022, pp. 109-114. See also This brings forth Millward's final point: though …show more content…
In order to understand where Milward’s points are coming from, it is a good idea to come to a general understanding of these ways of justice. Indigenous ways of justice focus on offender responsibility and investigates the circumstances that led up to the offence being committed (Milward, 2022, pp. 161 - 163. Milward explains that, though there are some circumstances where it is reasonable to consider the offender’s circumstances, in more major crimes, such as murder, it may seem as if the crime committed is being downplayed (2022, 164). Milward also points out that- though Indigenous ways of justice have worked out in the past- more modern adaptations of these systems may become problematic (2022, p. 152). He suggests that national documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, may help ensure Indigenous systems stay just (Milward, 2022, p. 153). There is also the worry that- though use of Indigenous justice shows promising results in terms of participant satisfaction- lack of resources may bring down the effectiveness of these systems (Milward, 2022, p. 155). In my opinion, if done correctly, Indigenous ways of justice would be a great form of reconciliation. In modern-day Canada, the justice system is one of the most prevalent forms of colonial oppression against Indigenous people. If we use the justice system