Canadian prison system has large aboriginal population, data shows

20 per cent of prisoners currently serving two or more years under the Canadian Correctional jurisdiction, are of aboriginal descent.

Through data, which provided the characteristics of all inmates currently serving a minimum of two years in the Canadian correctional facility as of April 2014, it was determined that 20 per cent of people currently in the system, were identified as aboriginal. A staggering number, when only 4.3 per cent of people  identify as aboriginal, within Canada.

Additional data, including the Canadian population and aboriginal population, was received off of the Statistics Canada website. These numbers were taken from the year 2011.




Glen Patterson worked for five years within the Canadian Correctional Service, as an elder and aboriginal spiritual adviser. He explains this influx of aboriginals within the prison system as a result of changes forced upon aboriginal peoples, in adaption to Canadian life. 

"The power was taken away from native people, to manage their own affairs, to have their own government; and in a way, what the whole story is all about, is institutionalization," said Mr. Patterson.

 Mr.Patterson also points to the increased numbers of aboriginals who had been put into into foster or government care, which includes Residential Schools, as a sense of normality within these communities -- which he views as problematic.

"So many of the guys, when their in jail, they say, well this is just like being in foster care, or like being in care;" he said, explaining, "It seems normal... it is something their used to."

Based on the data collected, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut showed the highest percentage of aboriginals in prison, each with 100 per cent of prisoners from that province, being aboriginal -- both also have a higher percentages of a aboriginals living in their Territories, compared to the rest of the country.

In British Columbia, 25.8 per cent of the prisoners are aboriginal, compared to just 5.4 per cent of their population being of that race.



Trevor Stokes, who runs and teaches alternative programs in the Vancouver school district, primarily works with aboriginal youth. "There's an over abundance of kids that are struggling, with an aboriginal background," he said, adding "I just think these kids have so many obstacles." Mr. Stokes, also believes these obstacles stem from these peoples adaption into a western civil democracy, and the struggle to be successful within it.

Mr. Stokes, does recognize that the government is putting money into helping the aboriginal communities, but believes it needs to be approached differently.

"I don't think we spend money in the right spots," said Mr. Stokes, insisting that in order for substantial change to happen, more money and energy needs to be put in helping this high-risk racial group, at a very young age.

Rene Matson, is a child and youth care worker for aboriginal students and families, at Old Yale Road Elementary school, in Surrey B.C. She is also a member of the aboriginal community, and knows the pain her people have gone through -- her mother committed suicide and the majority of her aunts are homeless, living on the streets in downtown Vancouver. 

"I think it's just acknowledgement," said Ms. Matson, explaining that recognition by the government, that these people have been, and are continually, being wronged is the first step in curving this problem.

Even with such problems in the aboriginal community, there is still hope for future.

"In 100 years we're going to have way more healthy aboriginal people... it's a slow accumulation of growth," said Mr.Stokes, explaining that change is going to take time, but is happening within the aboriginal community.   

   Rene Matson standing outside a classroom at Old 

    Yale Road Elementary School, in Surrey B.C.