Healing as Justice: The American Experience

Source: (1998) Justice as Healing 3 (2).

Beginning by rehearsing a common Anglo definition of law as consisting of norms, institutions and force, the author compares and contrasts aspects of a Navajo approach to the nature of crime and principles and practices to respond to crime. For example, a Navajo approach sees expression of emotions as integral to a criminal justice process, whereas an Anglo approach tends to minimize or disallow such expression. He argues that Navajo justice is restorative justice. Involving the offender, the victim, and family and community members, Navajo justice provides justice by offering reconciliation and healing for individuals and relationships.