Argument For

The Indigenous peoples of Canada have fallen victim to the plight that ethnic cleansing and war crimes against their bloodlines have brought upon even their newest generations, which has caused a ripple effect and a chain reaction resulting in more involvement in crime and injustice. The TRC report states: “The youth justice system, perhaps even more than the adult criminal justice system, is failing Aboriginal families. Aboriginal girls make up 49% of the youth admitted to custody, and Aboriginal boys are 36% of those admitted in custody,” [pp.177]. Even though the Aboriginal youth was not directly impacted by settler colonialism, their marginalization and lack of resources are a leading cause for engagement with criminal activities with also possibilities of ethnic profiling. Fig. 2 presents a document highlighting the disparity in incarceration statistics in Canada, as well as proposed efforts for reduction of this problem as it stems from poor guidance and support for this community. 

To a certain extent, some policies that the Canadian Government has imposed over the decades have worked against the interests of the Amerindigenes. A report on the AFN’s website states: “However, due to the imposition of Indian Act policies and discriminatory beliefs and actions against First Nations, First Nations peoples are vastly overrepresented in Canada’s justice system,” [line 2-4]. There is a degree to which these policies alienate the Native peoples from the rest of the community that resides on their land, leading to retaliation and rebellion. Fig. 3 depicts a "peaceful treaty" with outdated policies that hardly benefit the Indigenous culture or history, focusing on "assimilation" into settler society which can and has led to erasure of Native traditions and education.