New guide on justice issues

The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.’s Indigenous Justice Program has released a resource guide entitled “Bringing Balance to the Scales of Justice”. The guide provides a general introduction to justice issues for people who work with Indigenous clients in the Atlantic Canadian justice system.

The first half of the guide focuses on an overview of the post-colonial experiences of Indigenous people in Atlantic Canada, explores the reasons for Indigenous overrepresentation in the justice system and reviews efforts to reduce this overrepresentation.

The second half provides insights into traditional Indigenous views on justice and healing and outlines some of the common ceremonial practices that can be successfully integrated into justice programs. “Indigenous people are overrepresented in the Canadian justice system as both offenders and victims of crime,” said Lori St. Onge, director of Indigenous justice at the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.

“It is our hope that this guide will shed light on both the historical circumstances that have led to this situation and the innovative efforts being made to incorporate an Indigenous world-view into our justice system.

By implementing restorative justice models, providing offenders with access to traditional cultural practices and ceremonies, and focusing on individual and community healing, there is new hope that we can bring balance to the scales of justice.”