Research Reports
Reflections on Traditional American Indian Ways, 1998
Threats to Tribal Sovereignty, 1998
Traditional American Indian Leadership: A Comparison with U.S. Governance, 1997
Background
Mainstream society is challenged by racial disparities in the criminal justice system, especially with respect to American Indians. Since the 1970s, American Indian communities as well as the criminal justice system have noted that far too many Native people end up in juvenile correctional facilities and adult prisons. Yet, both American Indians and non-Indians remain some distance apart as to cures and corrective remedies that could lead to solutions. As a result, racial disparities in the criminal justice system are allowed to flourish.
The American Indian Policy Center (AIPC) was contracted by the Council on Crime and Justice to assess racial disparities in Minnesota’s criminal justice system by:
- Examining causes of disproportionate overrepresentation of American Indian juveniles and adults in the system
- Identifying cultural factors that guide American Indians and contribute to positive choices by individuals
- Articulating the development and maintenance of cultural values and beliefs that contribute to elimination of racial disparities in the system
- Identifying ways police, courts, social workers, and others may use the unique qualities of the American Indian population to decrease the number of American Indians encountering the system at all levels
- Providing recommendations for change to reduce disparities in arrest, sentencing, and imprisonment
Several researchers contributed to the research design, data collection, analysis, and identification of recommendations. Mr. John Poupart, president of the American Indian Policy Center worked over 20 years in criminal justice and eight years as Corrections Ombudsman for the state of Minnesota. Poupart provided direction to the project. Research partners included Dr. John Redhorse, University of Minnesota, Duluth; Dr. Melanie Peterson-Hickey, independent research consultant; Dr. Fred Smith, technical advisor; and Dr. Mary Martin, professor emerita of Social Work, Metropolitan State University.
The
Well-Being of American Indian Children in Minnesota: Economic Conditions,
1994
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Last updated:
Tuesday November 1, 2005