Articles


An Indigenous Commentary on the Globalisation of Restorative Justice

Published 13/03/2014
Type Article
Author(s) Juan Tauri
Corresponding Authors
DOA
DOI

The study and impact of the globalisation of crime control policy and related products have recently begun to receive significant attention from critical Indigenous scholars. The reasons for the increasing focus on this issue include the restorative justice industry’s increasing utilisation of so-called ‘Indigenous’ philosophies and practices in the design of its various products; and the increasing global popularity of supposedly ‘Indigenous-inspired’ restorative justice initiatives, not only in settler colonial contexts, but throughout Western jurisdictions, as a response to crime control issues relating to minorities. The purpose of this paper is to provide an Indigenous critique of the globalisation of restorative justice and the industry’s utilisation of Indigenous practices, symbols and philosophies in the marketing of its products. The paper will focus on the impact that the international transfer of restorative products is having on relationships between Indigenous peoples and central governments in settler colonial jurisdictions, particularly New Zealand and Canada, and on Indigenous peoples’ drive for greater self-determination in these jurisdictions.