The trial of the death of Cindy Gladue. #CinduGladue: Degradation, representation and competing ideologies

Abstract

Each year, women and girls from Aboriginal and Indigenous communities are missing or murdered, with no justice served. The trial of the death of Cindy Gladue (2015) was one that could set precedent for women who are Indigenous and for women who are sex workers. I reviewed and analyzed the trial and media trends and found three common themes: degradation ceremonies, representation of women, and ideological contestations. This review focused on the denunciation of Cindy Gladue, on consent and sex workers, and on the ideologies of indigenous communities and sex workers. The paper concludes that the Canadian criminal justice system continues to fail women of colour and Indigenous communities; however, the growth of social media channels has increased public knowledge and increased awareness about the rights and protection of individuals.