"The system is broken": using arts-based methods to explore youth voices and experiences of youth justice involvement
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Date
2022-01
Authors
Martens, Jody
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Abstract
Despite the high numbers of youth in judicial custody in Manitoba and the staggering overrepresentation of Indigenous youth with criminal justice involvement, there remains a distinct gap in research and policy development around the centering of youth voices and experiences. In fact, youth who experience marginalization at multiple intersections of identity are more likely to be or become justice involved and less likely to have their experiences and perspectives heard. Existing research indicates that Indigenous youth in Manitoba have a long history of experiencing targeted/racialized policing, police violence, carceral/institutional violence and discrimination at every juncture of the judicial process. This historic and ongoing violence is rooted in colonization, systemic racism and structural oppression. Grounded in intersectionality, anti-oppressive practice theory, and Indigenous research methodologies, this project aimed to respond to the above reality using talking circles and arts-based methods, namely the creation of a collaborative, youth-led zine, centering youth voices and experiences. The zine includes personal stories, art, poetry and photos, and was distributed in print and as a free online document to youth-serving organizations across Winnipeg and Manitoba, becoming a community-driven resource for potential transformation and empowerment. Overall, this project highlighted the need for community-based, community-driven research, particularly within systems and institutions that exercise tremendous control over the lives of marginalized youth. Based on youth perspectives and experiences shared in the talking circle and zine, several recommendations relating to youth justice-involvement are proposed, and a few key implications for social work practice are discussed.
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Keywords
Youth, Justice, Zine, Youth voices