In its 1999 decision in R v. Gladue, the Supreme Court of Canada acknowledged the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the country’s prisons and held that judges must consider systemic or background factors when determining a sentence for an Indigenous offender.

It has been almost 20 years since this landmark decision, yet the incarceration rates of Indigenous peoples continue to rise.

A panel will discuss why this is the case in Vanier Hall’s Oak Room at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, October 17.

“Indigenous Realities Navigating the Canadian Criminal Justice System” will feature panellists:

• Beverley Jacobs, professor at Windsor Law;
• Jonathan Rudin, program director of Aboriginal Legal Services;
• Harold Johnson, author and Crown Attorney in Treaty 6 Territory; and
• Rebecca Rutherford, judge on the Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto.

They will discuss topics relating to the implementation of Gladue reports and principles, the role of judges and Crown counsel, professional and ethical responsibilities, and restorative justice programs.

This event, sponsored by the student club Indigenous Initiatives, and the Transnational Law and Justice Network, is free and open to the public.