Canadian Aboriginal women and their 'criminality': The cycle of violence in the context of difference

The overrepresentation of Aboriginal women in Canada's justice system is a longstanding social problem that is reflective of wider social and economic differences for Aboriginal peoples. While other minority and/or marginaliz ed groups in Canada may experience similar intersections of race, gender, a nd class, a special 'context of difference', grounded in the colonial legac y of assimilationist policies, exists for Canadian Aborigines. It is argued that a cycle of violence and criminality for Aboriginal women has emerged from this context of difference. The relationship and tensions that exist b etween the 'cycle' and the 'context' are explored in an attempt to determin e the nature of both. The implications of the relationship on the legal rea lities for Aboriginal women are discussed as well as the traditional and co ntemporary theoretical explanations offered for its existence. The paper co ncludes by considering possibilites for breaking the cycle.