Healing and treatment of Aboriginal offenders: A Canadian example

Aboriginal people have been profoundly affected by their contact with Europeans and one negative consequence is their overrepresentation in the Canadian Criminal Justice System (CJS). Through such actions as residential schools, reservations, and certain laws that, for example, outlawed the practicing of their traditions, Aboriginal people and their cultural values and traditions have struggled to survive in a Western world. By virtue of their overrepresentation in the CJS and the history of colonialization, Aboriginals present as a special interest group in the CJS. One of the most salient issues that must be addressed is culture, as it is clear that human behavior is influenced by one's culture and way of life. Culture becomes especially relevant concerning Aboriginal people because Aboriginal and mainstream North American culture reflect two very diverse systems of beliefs, values and customs and because Aboriginal people have had to struggle to maintain their cultural identity within the dominant North American culture. This article addresses the importance of incorporating culture, healing, spirituality and Elders into treatment programs for Aboriginal offenders.