Reflections on Decolonization and X_aaydaG_a Tll Yahda TllG_uhlG_a: a Haida Justice System

Abstract

In this article I present an overview of findings from research into the formation of a sovereign Haida Tll Yahda justice system. I briefly examine the imposition of colonial governance, justice, and ways of being on suppressing Haida ways of life. Through a series of semi-structured interviews I addressed the following research questions: What does justice mean to the Haida? How could Haida conceptions of justice be implemented in modern day? In this paper, I focus on two themes; namely, Building capacity for Tll Yahda and Establishing Tll Yahda. The results of this research illuminate the importance of continued decolonization – and that re-instituting our own sovereign ways of doing justice through a Haida Tll Yahda system is possible, while also offering important considerations for decolonization and ensuring Canada is held accountable.