Indigenous Peoples’ Relative Risk of Homicide in Canada: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rates of homicide faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada have been recognized as a crisis and human rights issue. This study meta-analytically synthesizes existing knowledge related to the relative risk of homicide for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. A systematic literature review was undertaken, and eligible studies were meta-analytically synthesized to test two hypotheses: (1) The pooled relative risk of homicide will be significantly greater for Indigenous Peoples than others in Canada; and (2) this risk will be greatest for Indigenous females. One exploratory analysis was also undertaken to test the moderation effect of geography. Indigenous Peoples in Canada were found to be at a more than four times greater risk for homicide than non-Indigenous people. Both Indigenous males and females face similar, elevated risks. The risk was found to be greater in specific geographic locations. Researchers, public health, government, and other officials must focus efforts on collaboration with Indigenous communities to reduce this grave health disparity across the highest risk areas while being gender inclusive.