World News for Students of English

11-03-2025 15:00

In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to improve Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people and reduce their high imprisonment rates.

However, the situation has worsened. Indigenous people, who make up only 5% of Canada’s population, now represent over a third of those under strict supervision after prison.

Marvin Starblanket, an Indigenous man from Saskatoon, has spent much of his life in prison due to violent crimes. Currently, he is under a five-year supervision order, restricting his movements, housing, and employment. These orders, meant for rare cases, disproportionately affect Indigenous people. Many face parole denials and strict conditions, increasing their incarceration rates.

The causes include poverty, trauma, and lack of opportunities. While some believe supervision provides support, others argue it limits freedom. Starblanket now focuses on his family and hopes to study psychology and advocate for Indigenous rights after his order ends in 2027. He fears the challenge of adjusting to true independence.

Difficult words: disproportionately (too much or too little compared to others), parole (early release from prison), incarceration (imprisonment).

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