Summary
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Youngblood maintains that, in Eurocentric thought, there are many theories about justice and punishment. The biblical approach of equivalence (lex taltionis) and nineteenth century British theories of intolerable wrongs, deterrence and retribution (vergeltung) establish the dominant theories of punishment in Canadian society. In March 1994, the federal/provincial Justice ministers reached a consensus on the problems of Aboriginal Peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system. They agreed that the Canadian Criminal justice system had failed and is failing the Aboriginal people. They agreed that a new holistic approach to criminal justice, based on Aboriginal values, practices and traditions, is essential in Aboriginal justice reform. In addition, they agreed that the Aboriginal idea of justice as healing be reflected in the general justice system. This statement is a good beginning for a renewed Canadian criminal justice system.
Link: www.usask.ca/nativelaw/publications/jah/henderson2.html
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