Sentencing Circles, Clashing Worldviews, and the Case of Christopher Pauchay

Illumine: Journal of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2011

24 Pages Posted: 5 Apr 2012

See all articles by Toby S. Goldbach

Toby S. Goldbach

University of British Columbia, Allard School of Law

Date Written: September 5, 2011

Abstract

The case of Christopher Pauchay demonstrates some of the differences between predominant Euro-Canadian and First Nations approaches to dispute resolution. The principles of sentencing circles sometimes overlap with the principles of restorative justice and suggest their potential incorporation into the criminal justice system. The use of alternative processes that share some common values is not enough to overcome to chasm between Euro-Western and Aboriginal justice. Where underlying worldviews diff er, those who can choose between competing values amidst limited possibilities will likely choose the values that refl ect the conventional system. A comparison of Euro-Western and Aboriginal approaches to crime and punishment clarifi es why Pauchay’s sentencing circle was unsuccessful as an alternative option. Advocates of alternative methods must consider more than the implementation of a process when adapting selective cultural methods to the overarching system. Without further evaluation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) itself becomes a mechanism of recolonization.

Keywords: Dispute Resolution, Indigeneity and First Peoples, Lay Participation, Court Procedure

JEL Classification: K14, K40

Suggested Citation

Goldbach, Toby Susan, Sentencing Circles, Clashing Worldviews, and the Case of Christopher Pauchay (September 5, 2011). Illumine: Journal of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2035128

Toby Susan Goldbach (Contact Author)

University of British Columbia, Allard School of Law ( email )

1822 East Mall
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1
Canada
6048271891 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://allard.ubc.ca/about-us/our-people/toby-goldbach

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
111
Abstract Views
1,139
Rank
444,645
PlumX Metrics