Inuit Justice

Written By The Gender Security Project

Source: Jay Cross

Inuit leaders and Elders never considered themselves agents of law and order or social control, but rather, recognized justice as a means to nurture community. Every individual contributed toward the functioning of the community, which meant that the removal of any individual resulted in a loss to the community. Governed by uncodified wisdom, much of the grounding of the Inuit people and their approach to justice was informed by the wisdom and counselling of Elders.

Whenever a wrongdoing occurred, Elders would speak to the person, while taking care to make them feel loved, heard, and nurtured. If they continued the wrongdoing, the Elders would speak to them again, but with a bit more of a serious tone, offering information on possible consequences. If, even after this, the behaviour continued, the Elders would tell the individual that they would have to accept the consequences of their behaviour, and invite community members to respond to the behaviour – with room for them to retaliate or turn to revenge, too. This included forcing an individual to live on their own until they regained appreciation for their community and their lives in it.

The ideas of interconnectedness and the natural order of things underpins the approach to justice in the Inuit community. They believe that the loved ones of a wrongdoer would bear the brunt of their actions, and that fate can play a deterrent role in the continuation of wrongdoing.

While minor problems were dealt with by the Elders alone, the entire community was involved in major, life threatening problems that were considered a crisis. Wherever possible, counselling was conducted privately between the Elders and the individual concerned, in order to avoid rumours and gossip.

Drawing from the Inuit worldviews, the Nunavut Court of Justice (Canada’s only single-level court) was set up to be more responsive to the unique needs and cultural values of Nunavut’s majority Inuit population. Elders and Justices of the Peace accompany judges in the courtroom and are given the opportunity to speak with the accused, after sentencing submissions but before passing the sentence.

Inuit justice mechanisms are built on the foundation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge or IQ). They ultimately strive to support communities in taking greater responsibility for offenders and victims, and prioritize community justice communities, healing circles, and on the land programs. The approach to justice and healing is centred on personal readiness, holistic approaches to restoring balance, telling one’s story, flexibility, compassion, empathy, and speedy interventions.

References

The Gender Security Project
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Justice: The Anishinaabe Way