Reducing the Overrepresentation of Indigenous People in Canada’s Criminal Justice System through Attention to Colonialism and Its Consequences

Abstract

The significant overrepresentation of Indigenous people in Canada’s criminal justice system has been a persistent problem for decades and is still a problem today, despite efforts by various governments to tackle the issue. However, a recent follow-up study on Indigenous offenders who managed to stay crime-free for at least three years following their participation in VisionQuest’s substance abuse treatment program in British Columbia found that it is possible to overcome the problem of overrepresentation. The program is unique in that it aims to assist Indigenous offenders in their efforts to lead crime-free, substance abuse-free, and productive lives, by paying special attention to the challenges imposed upon them by the consequences of colonialism. With this in mind, the central research question posed by my dissertation work is: What elements, among the self-reported program intervention and non-program experiences of Indigenous offenders who have participated in the VisionQuest program, best assist them in overcoming the challenges and consequences of colonialism in their efforts to lead crime-free lives? As my dissertation describes, I approached the question by conducting semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with ten clients and ten staff members from the VisionQuest program. Collectively, the results of the interviews provide confirmation of the significant consequences and challenges faced by Indigenous offenders. More importantly, they provide confirmation of why our attentiveness to the consequences and challenges of colonialism is so critical to assisting Indigenous offenders in leading crime-free lives. The findings should be helpful in informing those leading substance-abuse programs on how they might enhance their capacity to assist Indigenous offenders in remaining crime free. Equally importantly, the findings may inform governments and the criminal justice community about how they might better address the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous people in the Canadian criminal justice system. Keywords: overrepresentation, Indigenous, colonialism, substance abuse, recidivism, criminal justice