Difference Between Native Americans And Criminal Justice

Native Americans and Criminal Justice Paper One
Katlyn Ford
Valdosta State University Native Americans and how they have been impacted from colonization and established criminal justice systems is a complex and detailed subject. How is it complex? It is complex because there are numerous different reasons and contributions to the colonization of Native Americans and how this has created criminalization for their so-called “primitive ways/ideology” some of the topics that will be addressed are how have the Euro-American society criminalized Native Americans. Additionally, a topic to be addressed is how the Native Americans view of justice differs from Euro-Americans view of justice and in what ways. The difference between the two systems
An important way of dealing with the offender is to look at from a psychological standpoint and to try and figure out what is causing them to act out in that manner and what diagnosis can be made. This can thus allow healing of the individual. This all ties into the peacemaker court. However, western models have tried imposing victim-offender programs on Native Americans as well. The main problem with this is that when conducting sessions with the victim and offenders it consumes more than just a few hours of time. As well as does not focus enough on the underlying cause of the offense, shared moral values and emotional healing. This is only a few areas of what needs extra time to acquire true justice from the perspective of a Native American. This is because for there to be true justice the offender needs to move away from hochxo and back towards hozho. The only way to achieve this is finding the root problem for the offenses not punishing and criminalizing the individual committing them. It also extends to seeking harmony within natures energy, which is represented by the Holy People in their creation
But with it came uproar from those who wanted assimilation for the Native Americans since they were seen as primitive in their way of thought and beliefs. Nonetheless, this did not stop the United States from trying to make them draft during World War II. The debate is that they could not vote or pay poll taxes, therefore, why should they be required to enlist? Any behavior going against the belief and laws of Euro-Americans often left the Natives criminalized. An example of this concerning the religious needs of Native Americans that goes against the laws of the United States was the prohibited killing of the bald eagle when they were once endangered. Native Americans required their feathers when doing important rituals and ceremonies. However, since it was illegal to kill them they were punished when Native Americans were simply trying to fulfill religious