DOCSLIB.ORG

An Exploration of Crime Prevention Among Indigenous Youth Who Utilize the Services of the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Exploration of Crime Prevention Among Indigenous Youth Who Utilize the Services of the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) An Exploration of Crime Prevention Among Indigenous Youth Who Utilize the Services of the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) A Thesis Submitted to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts In the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon By Christopher Takyi © Copyright Christopher Takyi, September, 2017. All rights reserved. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis/dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Postgraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, I agree that the Libraries of this University may make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis/dissertation in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis/dissertation work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Dean of the College in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis/dissertation or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis/dissertation. Requests for permission to copy or to make other use of material in this thesis in whole or part should be addressed to: Head of the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan 1019 – 9 Campus Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A5 OR Dean College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies University of Saskatchewan 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9 Canada i ABSTRACT Indigenous youth in Canada are incarcerated at rates that are six times greater than their non-indigenous counterparts. Studies have attributed this disparity to several factors: the intergenerational effect of colonial policies for assimilation; racial discrimination, both by the policy and Canadian society at large; the lingering effects of residential school experiences; low educational levels; and few employment opportunities. Solutions proposed have ranged from engaging community-based organizations through using arts and cultural programmes to encourage youth to disengage from criminal activities. One such programme implemented in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP), a charitable, non-profit organization that uses arts and cultural programmes to improve the lives of at-risk youth. Although programmes like SCYAP do appear to have some success in reducing youth crime, little research has been carried out on the attitudes and views of youth that attend them. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the views of the youth who attend the SCYAP programme. The study used the social control theory by Travis Hirschi as the theoretical framework. The study was qualitative in nature and used the purposive sampling technique for selecting the respondents. Eight Indigenous youth in training at the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) were selected for the study through interview. The data was analyzed using Nvivo. The results indicated that the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system may be at least in part due to the impact of government-sponsored residential schools and the intergenerational effects of colonialism. Other factors identified were racism, discrimination, partisan reportage by the media and blocked opportunities, in particular job opportunities, and a lack of community programmes such as SCYAP. Participants expressed that ii the art intervention programme at SCYAP has encouraged them to move away from crime by engaging their time; building up their self-esteem; developing their skills, improving their social relations, and helping them to heal. Based on these results, the study makes several recommendations: first, that federal and provincial governments advance support and funding for social programmes and amenities, community organizations and employment opportunities; second that the federal government provide funds to improve on-reserve living conditions and housing; third, that future research be devoted to raising social and cultural awareness to increase educational success for Indigenous youth and to improving the mental health of Indigenous families and communities; lastly, that public educational programmes for non-Indigenous and Indigenous learners be expanded to raise the awareness of the social and cultural history of Indigenous communities. Without these educational and community programmes, as well as other changes, Indigenous people will likely continue to experience racism, discrimination, and stigmatization in the wider society. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work will not have been successful without the help of the Almighty God who has been my banner, protector and the source of knowledge and strength. I also acknowledge the immense support of my supervisor Dr. John G. Hansen and my committee member Dr. Julie Kaye for their constructive suggestions and inputs to make this work successful. I also acknowledge the entire staff at Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) for giving me the opportunity to use their facility for my research and the students who voluntarily offered to contribute to this study through interview. I also thank all friends and family members who have contributed in one way or the other to make my studies here successful. I duly acknowledge the various authors whose work I have also cited in my work. iv DEDICATION I dedicate this work to the Almighty God, to my parents Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Takyi and to my siblings for their immense support and prayers to make my education here successful. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Permission to Use i Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv Dedication v Table of Contents vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 An Introduction to the Research 1 1.2 Introduction 1 1.3 Rationale of the Study 4 1.4 Overreliance of the justice system 6 1.5 Specific Area of Study 6 1.6 Specific Research Questions 7 1.7 Research objectives 7 1.8 Study limitation 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 An Introduction to the Research 9 2.2 Literature Review 9 2.3 Patterns of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth crime 13 2.4 Causes of Indigenous youth crime in Canada 19 2.4.1 Historical factors 19 2.4.2 Socio-cultural factors 21 2.4.3 Economic factors 26 2.5 Role of the family in youth crime prevention 28 2.6 Role of community-based organizations in youth crime prevention 33 2.7 The current study 36 2.8 Theoretical framework 37 vi 2.8.1 Social Control Theory 40 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 3.1 An Introduction to the Research 48 3.2 Methodology 48 3.3 Interview guide questions 52 CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 An Introduction to the Research 54 4.2 Analysis 54 4.3 Participants Demographic Characteristics 54 4.4 Discussion 74 4.4.1 Discipline and mentorship 75 4.4.2 Racism, discrimination, media misrepresentation and blocked opportunities 76 4.4.3 Impact of Residential School System 79 4.4.4 Parental support and effective care 82 4.4.5 Engagement of time and healing 84 4.4.6 Building of self-moral, confidence level and skills 85 4.4.7 Improved social relations and sense of belongingness 86 4.4.8 Accessible and affordable education 87 4.4.9 Lack of job opportunities and community programs 89 4.4.10 Fair justice system and discrimination in the justice system 91 4.4.11 Positive ambitions for the future 93 CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 5.1 An Introduction to the Research 95 5.2 Recommendations 95 5.3 Conclusion 96 BIBLIOGRAPHY 99 vii APPENDIX A 111 APPENDIX B 114 APPENDIX C 117 APPENDIX D 119 viii CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 An Introduction to the Research This chapter contains the perspectives of at-risk Indigenous youth attending the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP), an organization established in 2001 by Darrell Lechman. The organization was founded to address the social, economic, and educational needs of “at-risk” youth in Saskatoon. The organization (SCYAP) uses art and culture to improve the lives of these youth. This chapter provides a background of the study and gives a rationale for the research. The chapter also identifies research questions and research objectives, as well as the Indigenous-settler incarceration disparities that underscore the importance of crime prevention ideas and practices. 1.2 Introduction Preventing crime among Indigenous youth has long been an important policy issue for governments, governing authorities, such as Correctional Services Canada, the police, and courts, and both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Current research suggests that Indigenous youth in Canada are six times more likely to be incarcerated than their non-Indigenous counterparts (Odgers et al, 2005). However, some provinces and territories have higher rates than others. For example, a 2005 study indicated by Latimer and Foss (2005:482) indicated that the rate of incarceration for Aboriginal youth in Saskatchewan was 30 times higher than that of non- Aboriginal youth. Figures for the Yukon are also higher than the provincial average, with the rate of incarceration for Aboriginal youth 18 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal youth (Latimer & Foss, 2005). In addition to having high rates of incarceration, Indigenous youth are also overrepresented as victims of crime, particularly violent crime. The Aboriginal Youth Justice Teacher’s Resource 1 (2008:3) uses Statistics Canada 2004 data to show that “Aboriginal people are three times more likely than non-Aboriginal people to be victims of a violent crime.” This Teacher’s Resource also indicates that Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 to 35 were frequently victimized by violent acts. Nowhere is the vulnerability of native youth more evident than in the high incidence of violence against Indigenous girls and women.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Police and Crime Rates in Canada a Comparison of Resources and Outcomes
    Police and Crime Rates in Canada A Comparison of Resources and Outcomes Livio Di Matteo | September 2014 fraserinstitute.org Contents Summary / iii Introduction / 1 Overview / 3 The Determinants of Crime and Police Resources / 7 The Data / 11 Analysis / 14 Estimating the Efficiency of Police Resources in Major Canadian CMAs / 26 Conclusion / 36 Appendix 1: Regression variables / 38 Appendix 2: Population weighted regression results / 39 Data Key / 40 References / 46 About the Author / 53 Acknowledgments / 53 Publishing Information / 54 Supporting the Fraser Institute / 55 Purpose, Funding, and Independence / 56 About the Fraser Institute / 57 Editorial Advisory Board / 58 fraserinstitute.org / i fraserinstitute.org Summary There is rising policy concern in Canada over growing policing costs given that crime rates have fallen dramatically in recent years. Between 2001 and 2012, police officers per 100,000 of population in Canada rose 8.7% while the crime rate declined by 26.3%. This was accompanied by growing expenditures and a decline in work- load as measured by criminal code incidents per officer. Real per capita police expenditures in Canada between 1986 and 2012 rose 45.5% while criminal code incidents per officer declined by 36.8%. Public debate on rising police costs must be considered in the context of increasing overall public spending in Canada and a more complex society. Policing has evolved beyond just dealing with crime and includes a wider range of problem social behaviours, which are factors in police resource and expenditure growth. As well, there are changes in the technology of both crime and poli- cing as well as other factors affecting staffing such as operational load due to service demand and response time, socio-economic factors such as demo- graphics and crime trends, and strategic directions of police forces in terms of governance and policing methods.
    [Show full text]
  • PVSBC Insights a Quarterly Newsletter Published by Police Victim Services of BC
    Summer 2017 PVSBC Insights A Quarterly Newsletter Published by Police Victim Services of BC Features: Greetings from the Executive Director Welcome to the Summer edition of PVSBC Insights. Greetings from the As you explore this copy you will see one of the big buzz words in our Executive Director sector is the CBVR or Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. .............................................. page 1 If you missed Professor Benjamin Perrin's keynote at the symposium PVSBC Annual Symposium in April or at one of the follow-up sessions held for police and victim .............................................. page 1 service workers, you will want to check out his article in this issue of Victims of Crime Pay the Real Price PVSBC Insights. for Unreasonable Delays There is also opportunity to reflect on the successful events that took .............................................. page 2 place across Canada to celebrate Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. Empowering Resilience: Victims and We also look at a problem every community shares, Homelessness and Survivors of Crime Week the trends that evolve in communities when vulnerable populations are ................................................ page 4 further impacted by not having stable housing. A Gendered Lens to Understanding Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who dedicate time and energy Homelessness .............................................. page 5 to serve those impacted by crime and trauma in communities throughout British Columbia. Distinctive Ways to Recognize th Volunteers As we mark Canada’s 150 , the PVSBC Board of Directors and staff .............................................. page 7 wish you a safe and happy summer! Knowing crime does not decrease or take a break during the summer, we remind each of you to take time Featured Resource to be good to yourselves so you can continue to take care of those whom .............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns of Aboriginal Crime
    PATTERNS OF ABORIGINAL CRIME Darryl S. Wood University of Alaska Anchorage Curt T. Griffiths Simon Fraser University crime is a prerequisite for the design of effective pre- INTRODUCTION vention programs and criminal justice services. Canada has one of the world's most diverse Aborig- In the following discussion, we explore the pat- inal populations. From the small Inuit settlements terns of Aboriginal crime in Canada. We will first of the Eastern Arctic, to the woodlands of western consider the findings of research conducted in rural Ontario, to the West Coast, the 800,000 persons and remote areas of the country as well as in urban (about 3 percent of the Canadian population) who centres. From this, a general picture of Aboriginal identify themselves as Aboriginal are distinguished crime can be constructed. The discussion will then by their culture and language, their legal status and shift to a consideration of the various explanations the diversity of geographic settings in which they that have been offered for Aboriginal criminality live (Statistics Canada, 1998). Aboriginal people live and for the differences which exist between Aborig- in isolated settlements accessible only by air and/or inal and non-Aboriginal patterns of crime and sea; on reserves; and in cities and towns from sea to victimization. sea to sea. One way Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal crime Despite this diversity, there is one attribute patterns can be compared is by examining the pro- that many Aboriginal bands and communities share portion of the population in a given jurisdiction that — a high rate of violent crime and victimization.
    [Show full text]
  • Was Stephen Harper Really Tough on Crime? a Systems and Symbolic Action Analysis
    Was Stephen Harper Really Tough on Crime? A Systems and Symbolic Action Analysis A thesis submitted to The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In partial fulfilment of the requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon By Mark Jacob Stobbe ©Mark Jacob Stobbe, September 2018. All rights reserved. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a postgraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, I agree that the libraries of this University may make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis in any manner, in whole or part, for scholarly purposes, may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Dean of the College in which my thesis was done. It is understood that any copying, publication or use of this thesis or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis. Request for permission to copy or use of whole or part of this thesis may be addressed to: Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan 1019 - 9 Campus Drive Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 5A5 OR College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies University of Saskatchewan Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place Saskatoon SK Canada S7N 5C9 i ABSTRACT In 2006, the Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013-Annual-Statistical-Report.Pdf
    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Person Crime ···················································································· 5 2. Property Crime ················································································· 8 3. Disorder ··························································································· 11 4. Traffic Offences ················································································· 14 5. Special Topics 5.1 Youth Crime ········································································· 17 5.2 Family Violence/Domestic Conflict ············································ 19 5.3 Gang Crime ··········································································· 21 5.4 Hate/Bias Crime ···································································· 22 5.5 LRT Safety ············································································· 24 5.6 Centre City ··········································································· 26 5.7 Drugs ··················································································· 29 5.8 Weapons ·············································································· 32 Appendices Appendix A - Calgary Crime Trends, 2009-2013 ································ 36 Appendix B - Calgary Crime Statistics, 2009-2013 ······························ 41 Appendix C - Disorder Incident Statistics, 2011-2013 ························· 45 Appendix D - Youth Offence Statistics, 2009-2013 ······························ 46 Annual Stascal Report
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction P.2 I. Assessing Inadmissibility and Eligibility For
    2011 NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION LAW CONFERENCE, GATINEAU, QC PANEL 4C LIFE AFTER CRIME – POST CRIMINALITY OPTIONS – REHABILITATION, PARDONS AND TRP GORDON MAYNARD Index Introduction p.2 I. Assessing inadmissibility and eligibility for relief p.4 II. Dealing with the client, time frames, costs and expectations. p.9 III. Preparing the Rehabilitation and associated TRP Applications p.12 IV. Submission of Rehabilitation and TRP applications. p.17 V. Pardon Applications p.20 VI. Toolkit Appendix p.24 1 2011 NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION LAW CONFERENCE, GATINEAU, QC PANEL 4C LIFE AFTER CRIME – POST CRIMINALITY OPTIONS – REHABILITATION, PARDONS AND TRP GORDON MAYNARD Introduction This paper is about the processes of relief from criminal inadmissibility – applications for rehabilitation or pardons. Particularly, The process of assessing inadmissibility and eligibility for relief (The Inadmissibility Toolkit Appendix) The processes of dealing with clients, estimating success, time frames, costs and managing client expectations; The processes of preparing applications for relief (which might be a determination of rehabilitation or pardon, and associated TRP), and; The processes that the client’s application passes through to obtain a determination, whether it is at the POE, inland office, visa post or at National Parole Board. There is sensibility in the Canadian scheme of criminality rendering a person inadmissible, but with the ability to temporarily or permanently remove the inadmissibility. There is a reasonable mix of hard and fast rules and requirements and the flexibility necessary to accommodate individual circumstances. The system isn’t perfect. Discretion isn’t 100% predictable. There is uncertainty compounded by the foibles of human bias and error.
    [Show full text]
  • Firearm-Related Crime in Canada
    Firearm-related crime in Canada Yvan Clermont, Director Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence February 18, 2019 Delivering insight through data, for a better Canada KEY FINDINGS • Firearm-related violent crimes is a small proportion of all violent crime in Canada – 3% in 2017 • Past 4 years have seen a significant increase in violent crime involving firearms, with 16 CMAs seeing increases in their rates of firearm related crime • Rates of firearm-related violent crime similar between urban and rural regions • Since 2013, gang-related firearm homicides have almost doubled • Thefts of firearms have been on the rise since 2013 (+7%) • There are numerous things we do not know about gun crime – origins of the guns, whether gun crime is linked to organized crime Delivering insight through data, for a better Canada GUN CRIME IS LESS THAN ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF OVERALL POLICE-REPORTED CRIME IN CANADA Property crime 61% No weapon 78% Violent crime 21% Other Criminal Code Other violations weapon Firearm 19% 19% 3% (Excludes Québec) In 2017, a small proportion of police-reported violent crime involved firearms – 3%. However, these incidents involved more than 7,700 victims. 3 Delivering insight through data, for a better Canada POLICE-REPORTED CRIME INVOLVING FIREARMS HAS INCREASED EACH YEAR SINCE 2013 1,400 35 What we know Violent crime rate 1,200 30 Since 2013: • Overall police-reported 1,000 25 crime rate up 3% 800 20 • Violent crime rate stable Rate perRate 100,000
    [Show full text]
  • Canada 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Calgary
    Canada 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Calgary This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate in Calgary, Canada. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Canada country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Canada at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Calgary as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Calgary continues to have a relatively low crime rate, when compared to similar-sized cities (pop: 1.3 million) in the United States, but there has been an increase over the past year in property crimes and violent crimes. Through 2019, Calgary continued to see a high volume of drug activity relating to fentanyl and methamphetamines, with most property crimes, homicides, and gang violence related to these drug activities. Hate crimes declined in 2019, but continue to take place at a higher rate in Calgary relative to other Canadian cities, according to Calgary Police Service’s (CPS) dedicated hate crimes unit. Domestic violence has also declined but is still a problem.
    [Show full text]
  • Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia (CISNS) Annual Report 2006
    Message from the Minister It is with great pride that I introduce the 2006 Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia Annual Report (CISNS). I want to congratulate CISNS on the completion of their first public report. This collaborative organization has become a leader in gathering and sharing intelligence on organized crime and other serious crime, helping to make our province a safer place. This report provides an insight into organized and serious crime within Nova Scotia. It identifies both the importance and benefits of information sharing among law enforcement agencies across Nova Scotia, as well as the role of all Nova Scotians as active participants in the fight against crime. Effective and timely sharing of criminal intelligence is a crucial factor in the ability to detect, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations. Organized crime affects us all. We may feel its impact through illicit drug use in our communities, counterfeit products in the marketplace or defrauding the public. The world is changing, and while we are very fortunate in Nova Scotia, we are not immune to the pervasiveness or sophistication of organized crime. Because of our strategic coastal location we must do all we can to ensure that Nova Scotia is an active partner in the national and international fight against organized crime. The nature of organized crime has changed. Criminals have become more sophisticated and crime is more technologically advanced. To combat this, Nova Scotia’s law enforcement community is working together in a concerted effort to identify and attack organized and serious crime in our communities across the province. Focused information sharing among police agencies helps close the intelligence gaps on organized crime groups and other serious crime.
    [Show full text]
  • Classification and Collection of Terrorism Incident Data in Canada by Patrick Mccaffery, Lindsy Richardson, and Jocelyn J
    PERSPECTIVES ON TERRORISM Volume 10, Issue 5 Classification and Collection of Terrorism Incident Data in Canada by Patrick McCaffery, Lindsy Richardson, and Jocelyn J. Bélanger Abstract Canada is far from immune from the pressing global terrorism threat. Despite low base rates for documented attacks, it would be inaccurate to measure terrorism simply by the number of incidents investigated by authorities. This caution exists for two reasons. First, there is good reason to question current statistics as the majority of incidents either go unreported or are categorized under other labels. Second, every act carries a disproportionate harm. Even foiled attacks increase the level of fear, heighten tension between different groups, and can fragment communities. Social harm can be greater than the crime because it can affect individuals, groups and even nations. For these broad reasons a vigorous response is warranted. Specialized units have been created in many law enforcement organizations, new legislation has emerged and the collection of terrorism- related information is well at hand. Or is it? This paper presents compelling arguments that acts of terrorism are far more prolific than Canadian statistics suggest. Furthermore, this situation will continue to exist because the true nature of terrorism is concealed by systemic failures strikingly similar to those which historically masked the problem of both partner abuse and hate crime. Keywords: policing terrorism; definition of terrorism; anti-terror legislation Legislation he Anti-terrorism Act was passed into law in June 2015 and is arguably the most comprehensive reform of its kind since 2001.[1] According to the Act’s official summary, Bill C-51 will ensure safer transportation services for Canadians.
    [Show full text]
  • Sentencing Circles for Aboriginal Offenders in Canada: Furthering the Idea of Aboriginal Justice Within a Western Justice Framework
    SENTENCING CIRCLES FOR ABORIGINAL OFFENDERS IN CANADA: FURTHERING THE IDEA OF ABORIGINAL JUSTICE WITHIN A WESTERN JUSTICE FRAMEWORK by Melanie Spiteri A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research through the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts at the University of Windsor Windsor, Ontario, Canada 2001 © 2001 Melanie Spiteri APPROVED BY: Original signed by Dr. M. Kral Dr. M. Kral Department of Psychology Original signed by Dr. A. Hall Dr. A. Hall Department of Sociology Original signed by Dr. M. Hedley Dr. M. Hedley, Advisor Department of Sociology Original signed by Dr. R. Nakhaie Dr. R. Nakhaie, Chair Department of Sociology ABSTRACT This thesis examines the use of sentencing circles for Aboriginal offenders in Canada. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the degree to which the idea of Aboriginal justice, and the concepts associated with this idea, have been furthered by the implementation of sentencing circles in Aboriginal communities across Canada. The amount of control that Aboriginal community members have over the sentencing circle process and sentencing itself will be an important factor in furthering the idea of Aboriginal justice within a Western justice framework. The main source of data for this case study includes seventeen reported sentencing circles judgments, seven sentencing circle applications, and three appeals of sentencing circle decisions all of which took place between 1990 and 1999. Existing research on sentencing circles and Aboriginal justice is also explored throughout this thesis. The findings suggest that community members, victims, and offenders have begun to act on the understanding that justice is a community responsibility by participating in sentencing circles.
    [Show full text]
  • Vancouver Gang Article
    Vancouver Gang Violence: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS DR. KEIRON MCCONNELL KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY 2 2 VANCOUVER GANG VIOLENCE: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS AUTHOR Dr. Keiron McConnell ABSTRACT This article provides a historical description of key gangs and relevant events in BC, focusing on Vancouver, from 1909 to 2012 with a focus on the main incidents and themes of violence. A primary goal of this article is to dismiss the delusion that we are a more violent society today than ever before and face the harsh reality that violence and gangs in Vancouver are not new, nor are they a product of this new generation. While this nostalgic view of the past may be pleasing to our memories, an examination of newspapers and historical police documents suggests that violence in BC has been relatively constant for more than a century. From 1909 to 2012, gangs were consistently violent: there were murders, shootings, and gang fights. Innocent bystanders were shot, maimed, injured, and killed. Policymakers can’t blame the new generation, media, police, video games, or rap music – it has always been a part of our social fabric. This recognition is important to our current understanding of the gang landscape in Vancouver and our responses to these violent affronts to our society. KEY WORDS Gang; crime; gang violence; police; shooting; violence; murder; drug trade; organized crime; gang unit; history; drug trade; biker; Vancouver; Lower Mainland; British Columbia. 3 3 Table of Contents The Early Years ........................................................................................................5 The 1950s and 1960s: The Era of the Park Gangs ......................................................5 The Early Asian Gangs .............................................................................................6 The 1980s ................................................................................................................7 Multi-ethnic street gangs.
    [Show full text]