The lives behind the numbers: Understanding the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal women in the Canadian legal system

This thesis explores the disproportionate numbers of Aboriginal women who are in conflict with the law in Canada. Interviews were conducted with professionals within the social services, as well as native women who are presently in conflict with the law in order to gain a more complete understanding of this social problem. The professional interviewees provided a macro-level approach, focusing more on historical factors and differences in worldview between the native culture and mainstream society. The interviews with native women who are in conflict with the law focused more on a microperspective approach, centering on personal, social and economic factors that have increased their risk of coming into conflict with the law.