ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Ryan Beardy, noted prison activist, public speaker, writer, advocate, mentor and former prisoner describes his personal experiences in the youth, then adult, justice systems; for him these places became so familiar, they felt like home. Beardy illustrates how, for many Indigenous Peoples, the federal government’s historical policies and practices have resulted in a spiral of poverty, homelessness, addiction and crime and have helped fuel a pipeline to child welfare systems, to criminal justice systems and ultimately to prison. Beardy ends on a hopeful note, however, by focusing on what worked for him: opportunity and community. It was Indigenous culture and concepts, being treated with a trauma-informed approach and access to programs that helped him address his unhealthy behaviors. Ultimately, through early parole, access to programs and education, Beardy was able to educate himself and now offers other Indigenous people support in their healing journey.
