18. Restorative, Transformative Justice
We, the authors of this chapter, were both raised on the unceded traditional territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation, Katzie, and Kwantlen First Nation (colonially known as Surrey, British Columbia). We were also both the first in our families to either attend a post-secondary institution or to complete a university degree.
We both acknowledge that we benefited directly from the unearned privileges of being White-presenting, cisgender, able-bodied and educated. We also were both heavily influenced by a passionate professor during our undergraduate degrees. These paths, although different, led us both to incorporate the principles and values of restorative justice into our lives, relationships, and work.
Positionality Statement
Dr. Alana Abramson, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
I, Alana Marie Abramson, am of British, Romanian, Metis, and Cree descent. I had challenges during my teens that brought me in conflict with the law as a victim of violence and as an offender. On my journey, I have also experienced homelessness, foster care, and substance misuse. The tribulations of my youth and the privilege I was born into have both facilitated my education and career and inspired my critique of the current criminal legal system. I was fortunate to meet a caring professor during my undergrad who encouraged the growth of potential I was yet aware of. She and other mentors helped me process shame and trauma from my past and cultivated my passion for creative and healing ways to address harm such as restorative, transformative justice.
Positionality Statement
Melissa Roberts, M.A., Langara College
I, Melissa Leanne Roberts, am of English, Welsh, and German descent. While I did not come from a wealthy family, my siblings and I were well taken care of and lived with stable housing, a two-parent household, and with all the necessities of life. We were encouraged to pursue our dreams and seek careers that are supportive and enable us to be contributing members of society. It was during my post-secondary education that I was exposed to ideas that challenged me to question why the world is the way it is and what it ought to look like instead. Taking a single class changed the trajectory of my life: from pursuing a graduate degree focused on restorative justice to volunteering in restorative justice, to teaching restorative justice to university students like yourselves.
