Nichol, Heather

This dissertation, titled "Echoes of Injustice: Regulating Indigenous Masculinity through Canadian Legal and Colonial Systems, "examines how the Canadian criminal justice system—through its denial of colonial violence and its regulation of Indigenous masculinity—has contributed to the ongoing criminalization and marginalization of Indigenous men. By critically engaging with both historical and contemporary legal frameworks, including the Indian Act, restorative justice practices, and landmark cases such as R. v. Gladue and Blackwater v. Plint, this research traces how colonial narratives remain embedded in Canadian jurisprudence. These narratives often portray Indigenous men as inherently violent, deviant, and in need of regulation. The central research question guiding this work is: How has the Canadian criminal justice system, through its denial of colonial violence and its regulation of Indigenous masculinity, contributed to the continued criminalization and marginalization of Indigenous men? Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Frantz Fanon and Michel Foucault, this dissertation argues that the legal system not only fails to address the structural impacts of settler colonialism but also actively reproduces colonial violence by projecting it back onto Indigenous male bodies. In doing so, it reinforces pathologizing narratives and obstructs opportunities for meaningful healing and justice. Each chapter applies this theoretical lens to specific legal cases and state policies, demonstrating how Indigenous men are constructed as threats to colonial order and denied recognition as victims of systemic trauma. Using a counter-narrative methodology, this dissertation challenges dominant legal and academic discourses, revealing how they obscure the lived realities of Indigenous men and sustain one-dimensional portrayals that rationalize state control. The counter-narrative approach is not merely a tool for alternative interpretation; it is a necessary act of decolonial resistance—one that disrupts colonial knowledge production and reclaims interpretive authority. By centring Indigenous voices and rejecting pathologizing settler narratives, this methodology contributes to the broader project of Indigenous resurgence: the revitalization of Indigenous masculinities, sovereignties, and justice systems on Indigenous terms. Ultimately, this work calls for a fundamental reimagining of justice—one that dismantles colonial legal foundations and embraces decolonial frameworks rooted in healing, accountability, and the resurgence of Indigenous masculinities.

Author Keywords: Colonial Violence, Colonialism Criminalization, Gladue Principles, Indian Act, Indigenous Masculinity, Restorative Justice

The Places to Grow Act (2005) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006) are two pieces of legislature passed by the Government of Ontario to help govern and limit urban sprawl in major cities across Ontario through to 2041. These policies are framed around the development and maintenance of large-scale cities. While there are some provisions within these policies for mid-sized cities that are part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), there are few resources, case studies, and models for successful revitalization, and intensification in mid-sized cities. The goal of this thesis is to answer questions related to planning and development in Peterborough, Ontario and to assess its progress as it relates to Places to Grow (2005) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006) guidelines. Through the use of library research, policy document analysis, interviews with key stakeholders, and GIS analysis, I identify both strategies and challenges related to development and growth in Peterborough, ON. I conclude that the policies are proving to be initially favorable in their results, however it is not without significant challenge to Planners and stakeholders in Peterborough, ON. Finally, I suggest further research take place in order to further assess the effectiveness of these policies in other mid-sized cities in Ontario, as well as to measure the success of the policies closer towards the 2041 deadline.

Author Keywords: GIS, Peterborough, planning, policy, revitalization, Smart Growth