Decolonizing Restorative Justice

The chapter critically examines the harmful impact of restorative justice on Indigenous peoples. The concepts of cognitive injustice, cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation, and the conflation of Indigenous justice and restorative justice are discussed. This chapter explores decolonization and what it might mean to decolonize restorative justice. A proposed framework for decolonizing restorative justice is presented. The authors believe that the inclusion of the leadership of local Indigenous peoples coupled with lessons from wise practices across somewhat similar cultural and spiritual settings would contribute to decolonizing restorative justice practices. This chapter ends with three wise practices and reflective questions.