Nlaka’pamux justice systems: An investigation of Xitl’ix and the Lytton restorative justice prevention and education program

This thesis investigates an Indigenous community’s traditional justice model called Xitl’ix, as well as the Lytton Restorative Justice Prevention and Education Program that is currently being utilized by members of the Lytton Indian Band. This qualitative study uses Indigenous Storywork Methodology and Narrative Inquiry, to explore the participants’ experiences with Xitl’ix and the Lytton Restorative Justice program. Due to the global pandemic, several video conference interviews, which the researcher refers to as virtual sharing circles, were held with eight participants. Six participants are from the Lytton Indian Band, one participant is a non-Status Indian and former director of the Lytton Restorative Justice Prevention and Education Program, and the last participant is a settler person who is a former high school principal. Each participant provided their perspective about Xitl’ix (Nlaka’pamux Court), the Lytton Restorative Justice Prevention and Education Program and/or Restorative Justice programs and services. The themes that emerged from the virtual sharing circles include Nlaka’pamux Knowledge, Indigenous healing, and ultimately provided a stronger foundation of understanding of the Xitl’ix teachings and the Lytton Restorative Justice Prevention and Education Program. During one of the virtual sharing circles and unexpected finding was revealed that described another Nlaka’pamux justice system, which has not been memorialized or described in past research about the Nlaka’pamux people.