Inside Canada’s prisons: Racism, broken systems and how we make change – A conversation about injustices and reimagining how we approach corrections

On February 12, 2024, the Museum hosted a conversation about how systemic and intersectional discrimination create injustice throughout Canada’s legal system. This conversation, moderated by our CEO, Isha Khan, included Elder Robert Greene, Senator Kim Pate, Tania Ross and Odelia Quewezance. We explored Canada’s correctional system and the racism and misogyny that disproportionately affect Indigenous women, their families and communities and the potential to re-imagine a system based on restorative justice and the collective needs of our society.

This event was part of our Behind Racism programming series, which challenges us all to address our own biases and take individual and collective action toward ending racism and discrimination.

For more information: https://humanrights.ca/event/inside-c...
Here is a list of resources mentioned during the event:
- Senators go to Jail: when why and what did they find? (English): https://sencanada.ca/media/lbcaty5i/2...
- Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women (English): https://sencanada.ca/media/joph5la2/e...
You can learn more about all our offerings on our website –humanrights.ca.

Participants
Isha Khan, CEO of the CMHR and a human rights lawyer, will moderate the dialogue and a question‐and‐answer session with the audience. Before joining the CMHR in 2020, Isha gained insight into injustice in the justice system when she was appointed by the Minister of Public Safety to review conditions for people incarcerated in federal penitentiaries. In that role, she directed the release of people from segregation and issued recommendations to improve conditions, including providing better access to mental health services, spiritual programming and other interventions.

Senator Kim Pate, who was a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights that studied respect for human rights in the federal correctional system, will offer context on the Canadian legal system. A nationally renowned advocate, she will also share her experience working in and around the legal and penal systems of Canada, with and on behalf of some of the most marginalized, victimized, criminalized and institutionalized – particularly imprisoned youth, men and women.

Elder Robert Greene, Elder‐in‐Residence at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, will discuss how systemic racism in Canada’s justice system affects Indigenous individuals, their families and communities. Indigenous initiatives and community support will also be explored.

Tania Ross, an Opaskwayak First Nation woman who got involved in gangs at a young age, was convicted of second‐degree murder at age 19. She spent 20 years in prison – dark days that included long stretches in segregation, which took a heavy toll. Although she saw other women like her die in prison and expected the same fate, she was able to heal and turn her life around with the help of an Elder. Today, she works with high‐risk youth in Winnipeg, hoping to help them avoid the same mistakes.

Odelia Quewezance, from the Keeseekoose First Nation, was convicted of second‐degree murder following a 1993 stabbing in Saskatchewan. She was co‐accused with her sister and a cousin. The cousin has taken full responsibility for the murder and the sisters are out on bail awaiting a ministerial review of their convictions.