Summary
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In this essay the writer examines restorative justice and the issues of its commonality with and applicability to Aboriginal cultures and practices. She notes that restorative justice has been receiving much attention from the criminal justice system and community groups. In Aboriginal communities, restorative justice is seen by some as the revival of ancient approaches. In mainstream society, restorative justice is praised as an alternative to a punitive system. Programs, academic research, evaluations, and guidelines exist in these two separate communities regarding restorative justice. Yet there is little in the literature addressing how restorative justice can contribute to conflict resolution between natives and non-natives. Apparent similarities between mainstream restorative justice and traditional Aboriginal justice suggest that restorative justice could be a good tool for dealing with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal conflict.
