Imagining an Indigenous Criminological Future

Abstract

This chapter deals with the difficult question: Should the Indigenous academy develop an Indigenous-centred sub-discipline within criminology? The most common rationale for this suggestion is so Indigenous scholars can assist the wider discipline improve its performance on Indigenous issues, and to ensure the “Indigenous voice” is heard across the cacophony of noise that continuously emanates from mainstream criminology. Speaking from a critically, Indigenous-focussed perspective, the author argues that, at present, the mainstream criminological “tent” is simply one that Indigenous scholars best avoid. Until the Australian and New Zealand variant of the discipline proves itself capable of forgoing the paternalism that permeates much of its members’ interactions with Indigenous peoples, Indigenous scholars might be better served by setting up shop elsewhere.