Native Americans and the Criminal Justice System
Diversity in the Criminal Justice System
December 1, 2012
TOPIC: Native Americans and the Criminal Justice System
Native Americans in the United States have reported to come from many different tribes. American Indians are likely to experience violent crimes at more than twice the rate of all other U.S. residents. The rate of violent crimes committed against Native Americans is substantially higher than any other minority group in the United States. Yet, little or no attention is paid to them. According to information collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), American Indians are likely to experience violent crimes at more than twice the rate of all other U.S. residents. While Native Americans have a rich cultural history, much of this culture has been destroyed or manipulated to favor the European-descended majority. American Indians were portrayed as vicious, bloodthirsty savages who stubbornly resisted religion, education, and acculturation. Some examples would be the frequent references to the practice of scalping enemies, burning enemy camps, and enslaving enemy women and children. In addition, references to Native Americans’ pagan-like religions and native languages contributed to the demonization by European settlers. While the federal government has recently made strides in attempting to reconcile a rather suspect relationship with the Indian people, Native Americans remain skeptical. Trust is always easy to lose and extremely difficult to re-establish. In an effort to regain the trust of the tribes and make amends for past transgressions, President Clinton signed an Executive Order in 2000 to renew the government’s commitment to tribal sovereignty (Shusta et al.2005, 255). While these statements are broad in scope and promise a great deal concerning the treatment of Native Americans by the criminal justice system, the United States government has not historically demonstrated good faith in maintaining its promises. An unbiased
December 1, 2012
TOPIC: Native Americans and the Criminal Justice System
Native Americans in the United States have reported to come from many different tribes. American Indians are likely to experience violent crimes at more than twice the rate of all other U.S. residents. The rate of violent crimes committed against Native Americans is substantially higher than any other minority group in the United States. Yet, little or no attention is paid to them. According to information collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), American Indians are likely to experience violent crimes at more than twice the rate of all other U.S. residents. While Native Americans have a rich cultural history, much of this culture has been destroyed or manipulated to favor the European-descended majority. American Indians were portrayed as vicious, bloodthirsty savages who stubbornly resisted religion, education, and acculturation. Some examples would be the frequent references to the practice of scalping enemies, burning enemy camps, and enslaving enemy women and children. In addition, references to Native Americans’ pagan-like religions and native languages contributed to the demonization by European settlers. While the federal government has recently made strides in attempting to reconcile a rather suspect relationship with the Indian people, Native Americans remain skeptical. Trust is always easy to lose and extremely difficult to re-establish. In an effort to regain the trust of the tribes and make amends for past transgressions, President Clinton signed an Executive Order in 2000 to renew the government’s commitment to tribal sovereignty (Shusta et al.2005, 255). While these statements are broad in scope and promise a great deal concerning the treatment of Native Americans by the criminal justice system, the United States government has not historically demonstrated good faith in maintaining its promises. An unbiased
References: Final report of the Executive Committee for Indian Country Law Enforcement Imprvements to the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Interior. (1997). Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. In the Margins, special populations and American Justice. Reid C. Toth, Gordon A . Crews, Catherine E. Burton. Major, A.K.A. Egley, Jr.,J.C.Howell, B.Mendenhall (2004) youth gangs in Indian Country. Washington DC: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention. O’Driscoll, O and t. Kendworthy.(2005) Nazi web link eyed in killings: Echoes of Columbine emerge: gunman. Perry, S. W. (2004), American Indians and crime. Washington DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Shusta. R.M.D.R Levine, P.R.Harris, and H.Z. Wong (2002) Multicultural law enforcement. Shusta. R.M.D.R Levine, P.R.Harris, and H.Z. Wong (2005) Multicultural law enforcement. Wood, D.S (2000. Officer turnover in the Village Public Saftey Officer Program, Alaska Justice Forum.