Returning to the Teachings: Exploring Aboriginal Justice

by Rupert Ross

In his bestselling book Dancing with a Ghost, Rupert Ross began his exploration of Aboriginal approaches to justice and the visions of life that shape them. Returning to the Teachings takes this exploration further still.

During a three-year secondment with Justice Canada, Ross travelled from the Yukon to Cape Breton Island, examining—and experiencing—the widespread Aboriginal preference for “peacemaker justice.” In this remarkable book, he invites us to accompany him as he moves past the pain and suffering that grip so many communities and into the exceptional promise of individual, family and community healing that traditional teachings are now restoring to Aboriginal Canada. He shares his confusion, frustrations and delights as Elders and other teachers guide him, in their unique and often puzzling ways, into ancient visions of Creation and our role with it.

Returning to the Teachings is about Aboriginal justice and much more, speaking not only to our minds, but also to our hearts and spirits. Above all, it stands as a search for the values and visions that give life its significance and that any justice system, Aboriginal or otherwise, must serve and respect.

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Spirituality, Education, Canada

300 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 1996

Reviews

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ross provides an engaging introduction to the subject of First Nations approaches to handling harm within communities. His conversational tone saves the topic from his legal experience, avoiding an overly-academic tone, and his willingness to admit the progression of his own understanding reminds readers of the need to seek further reading from Indigenous authors.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. The author, as a white person (a Canadian government attorney) writing about Aboriginal communities, clearly approaches his topic with humility, openness to listening, and a willingness to be changed by his encounters with other cultures. I was really moved by this, and by his descriptions of his encounters with healing in the form of restorative justice. He really put a lot of attention and understanding into his explorations of the work the Hollow Water community in Manitoba has been doing to heal the wounds caused by sexual abuse and family violence in their community.

He spends a lot of time exploring issues of cultural difference, which at first seem off-topic, but circle around to become clearly relevant. I was not always convinced by his assumption that Native American and First Nations Canadian peoples have a (more or less) unitary philosophy. I have heard this idea expressed by both Native and white people, and I continue to be skeptical about it, even when (as in this case) I am drawn to the philosophical attitude being described. When talking about cultures spread out over the huge geographical area of North America, who had did not share language or other aspects of culture (e.g. agricultural vs. nomadic, warlike vs. peaceful), it seems unlikely. Also, I often wonder if what people describe isn't more about "tribal" ways of life than a cultural phenomenon - that is, a small tribe of people will necessarily interact differently than residents of a large town or city. So some of the apparent differences in style and content between white American/ European approaches and Native American approaches, may actually be linked to social structure as much as culture.

An interesting note about this book is that the author never makes any claims that restorative justice approaches should be used with white Canadians or any other culture. He talks about it solely in relation to Aboriginal communities. I was curious to hear his opinion about whether it should be applied to all communities, and if so, how it would be different in different settings.

[Jeff Mattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible new perspective for me, akin to watching "Contact" and understanding how language frames and frees how a person perceives an issue.

[Courtney Sark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read. Maybe it’s because I am indigenous myself, but much of this was not new to me. That being said, this book was way ahead of its time, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness the author put into this book. I’d say it’s an important read for anyone who works within the justice system.

P.s. not sure if it’s just the copy I had, but there were an absurd amount of spelling errors I.e. “ate” instead of “are” quite a few times that made it hard to focus on the content at times loll

[Shannon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned many valuable ideas and concepts from this book. I found it easy to read and follow, even without any background in law. Having Ross compare Indigenous justice systems to the Western justice system was very interesting, and gave me great insight into the failures of the current system we use. I read this book at the beginning of the civil rights movement and had a better context regarding how the legal system works. The chapter on language especially spoke to me, and made me aware of what words I choose in my day to day conversations.

[Malena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this 😭 so life changing in a very real way

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the Hollow Water program, which runs its court for people who have sexually abused others through a restorative justice model start to finish.
There's so much material to digest here: the insights into the Ojibway culture are plentiful and the program's almost universal success begs for some imitation by the rest of our country. Ross does caution against saying that this may not work for all courts, because the Hollow Water program is partly based on a return to tribal wisdom and not every part of the US respects its elders so to speak.
The Hollow Water program also does away with division between services by literally putting everyone (including concerned community members) in a Circle.
It was very heartening to see that the Canadian justice system was handing over more and more cases to the Hollow Water program because of its success. Ross also challenges the thinking that the Hollow Water program will completely replace the retributive justice system, because there are some people that will not take responsibility for their actions (and are therefore not appropriate candidates). In pre-colonization times, the Ojibway tribes dealt with people that did not want to follow the social contract by exiling them; in modern times this means prison, hence the continuing need, but not over-reliance on the retributive justice system.
The book suffers a little from white guilt; Ross talks about his own cross-cultural les faux pas, he's pretty hard on himself. Still, I appreciate him offering up his own mistakes from which to learn.
Anyway, the program works miraculously and therefore this book deserves a read.

[Deena Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sent this book to a California lawmaker and a California judge with the hope that they would see other ways to meet the crisis in our (non) justice system. If we see that so many of those imprisoned, particularly the young ones, are suffering the economic, social, political and spiritual injustice of our culture, and need community, education, and real futures, we might turn our society around.

If you allow it, this book will change your mind. Although reading is not the same as experience, following Ross as he thinks differently provides an opening for the book to become experience. In this age of such rampant injustice, a profound companion to heal our minds and nations. Of course, the very ones, the Native people, who are continuously suffering injustice, are the teachers. If the conquerors of this continent had just paid attention to the wise ones on the planet, five hundred years of devastation and anguish (for all concerned, actually) might have been avoided.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great narrative about the different settings and results indigenous communities have had using restorative justice methods. In the developed west, we tend to think of restorative justice being appropriate for minor issues like little Billy throwing a rock through his neighbor's window. Return to the Teachings clearly documents that this model is able to handle far more complex and troubling issues with perhaps much better results than our justice system. Better if you want to see "offenders" truly understand the implications of their actions, how they affect the "victim" and the community, and for the "offender" to be seen as a whole person not just a crime. Through this things that would otherwise be destructive if left unspoken are talked about with respect and healing is just as much a part of the process as justice. I recommend to anyone with an interest in justice and community.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helped me frame and give voice to my evolving beliefs about our justice systems. In short, I'm a restorative practice convert after reading this book. I believe that, for the most part, our criminal justice system, and the conduct systems at institutions of higher education, are barriers to healing and learning. The systems motivate and perpetuate silence that keeps true engagement within communities from happening. While I don't have the power to change the system, the book provides good strategies for using your own sphere of influence to impact the way conflict and harm is handled. I'm proud of the changes our conduct system has made over the past years and look forward to its continued evolution.

[Alcina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the re-issue from 2006, although originally published in 1996. This should be a must-read for anyone anyone in the legal professions, counseling, foster parents, etc. Although he is writing about indigenous restorative practices regarding justice, the issues of deep misunderstandings in western legal practices due to culture are beautifully and clearly described - with examples. Having spent the last year working in restorative councils, I was moved and educated through this book and will bring a deeper understanding to my council as a result. Beautiful, non-romanticizing, critical and loving analysis not only of western vs. indigenous justice practices, but a delving into our cultural norms that enhance/exacerbate our proclivities. I'll be reading all of his books.

[Cristina Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous book. It was very well written and explored a very delicate issue with grace and openness. I was enthralled while reading it and it really made me look at Native issues in a different way.



It presented a lot of well researched and justifiable opinions about the approach that is used in the criminal justice system when dealing with Aboriginals. An easy read that more people should familiarize themselves with so that they have a better understanding of the problems in this society.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reframing concepts of justice and how to heal from wrongdoing (individually and culturally), drawing from examples set by indigenous people in Canada. A good introduction to the ideas of the Restorative Justice movement, with some amazing stories of healing.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important and insightful book on indigenous approaches to justice. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in restorative justice practices.

[Emilee Layden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very challenging perspective. A very worthwhile read.