Senator Murray Sinclair
Now Senator Murray Sinclair, previously Judge Sinclair, and chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, also a person of Indigenous heritage have been advocating for Indigenous equality; during most of his natural existence. Despite many evidence based research studies, bearing witness to Indigenous discrimination and historical traumas; the Canadian Criminal Justice System continue to face disrepute for permitting prejudicial practices.
The Canadian legislature, enact Indigenous leniency laws, that governs the justice system. However, a closer look at Indigenous incarceration rates for Indigenous youths, men and women, reveals continuous dis-proportionality compared to the non-Indigenous population. Further, social inequalities triggering mass suicide rate among men in this population; discovered during my 4th. year thesis project (Kissoon, J., 2018). Criminal justice laws such as; the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Y.C.J.A) and the Gladue report, 718.2 (e); meant to consider the severity of Indigenous offenses along with special; social, economical, environmental, and biological history, has been neglected more often than not. Indigenous youths/persons experiencing mass overrepresentation, and prisonization in the criminal justice system, far outweighs those of non-Indigenous persons in Canada.
A tremendous concern continue to be individuals representative of the Canadian Criminal Justice System. The system, is only as good as those governing with the power, privilege and authority to execute their duty impartially without prejudice.
To this day, in the 21st., century there continue to be European colonist in positions of power who practices malicious treatment of Indigenous inhabitants (the first people to occupy Canada).
In Canada, the Indigenous population continue to experience; labeling, stigmatization and stereotyping, as a means of justifying social anomalies associated with maltreatment of this very unique culture. Rights and liberties appear insignificant to many, in times when Human Rights are meant to be at the forefront; representative of our societal values.
During my degree studies at an in-class debate, on Aboriginal overrepresentation, a Caucasian male student said, as a matter of fact leniency laws in the justice system will never support or validate Indigenous rights, this will never be a reality; based on his own knowledge and experience working in the system. This observation made in a rather obnoxious tone, my only re-thought was to adamantly support self-government for Indigenous peoples on their land in their community. The abuse of Indigenous rights is done openly without any consideration for Canadian laws, and no fear of repercussion. Such dumbfounded admission leaves one with a sense of shock, surprise, numbness, disgust and helplessness.
What’s the purpose of having a legislative process, if those we trust to practise without misinterpretations, fails to maintain the very ethical standards ingrained in the Canadian Constitution?
As a society we need individuals in service who understands the meaning of; dignity, impartiality, equality and human rights. Thus, humanity before: race, age, color, class, sex, cultural affiliation, physical or mental impediments.
This week, Senator Murray Sinclair’s, report was published drawing attention to the Thunder Bay Police Service Board. Decades, of discriminatory practices involving the police and Indigenous communities in Thunder Bay; are finally at the forefront receiving national media coverage. Thunder Bay Police Service Board will be dismantled, and re-organized within one year; to establish ethical integrity and accountability in providing lawful services to Indigenous individuals.
Thunder Bay, is only one example and ought to be an example for all other authorities, within all police jurisdictions, in Canada. The police service operates under a hierarchical system; and individuals driving frontline police officers’ conduct are fully responsible for systematic anomalies. All Police Service Boards, need to practice with integrity and accountability in decision-making.
There must also be amendments to the system of incarceration, so that frontline police officers are not expected to maintain specific periodic quotas and numbers of law infringements for personal and other rewards. Rather, it would serve society more productively for frontline police officers to maintain a level of autonomous authority in the application of leniency. Frequently, police officers come under fire, but their authority to apply leniency tend to be restricted; by superiors in positions of power. Frontline police officers may also face ridicule and forms of discipline for not abiding by departments agendas. Hence, cognitive dissonance theory where ones own belief system becomes inferior to the majority driving dissonance in the criminal justice system.
Frontline police officers, serving those in authority with power, and privilege; may experience attacks on their very livelihood, if they do not perform as expected. Our politicians must stop using Indigenous people and minorities as a food source, communities have greater chances for survival if the expectation is community socialization not prisonization. Incarceration changes humanity -- treating someone like an animal tends to bring out animalistic survival instincts; therefore defeating the purpose of rehabilitation. Hence, destroying the person’s humanity and returning them to society with less capabilities than when they entered the Criminal Justice System. Therefore, the restorative justice system is far more beneficial to society than the dominant retributive system.
Senator Murray Sinclair is paving the path to equity with a common goal for maintaining peace and good will among nations in Canada.
Report From Toronto Star:
Senator Sinclair Profile By Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia:
European Colonization And Intergenerational Traumatic Health Deficits Contributing To Gang Violence For Aboriginal Youths In Canada:
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