The Donald Marshall case highlighted the flaws in the Canadian justice system concerning Indigenous people. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that "the Canadian system of justice was hardly very just, at least not when it came to Indigenous people" (Bumsted and Bumsted, 2022, pg. 545) or individuals wrongfully accused of crimes. The amendments to the Indian Act restricting access to legal representation further underscored the systemic failures, with Marshall Jr spending 11 years in prison from 1971 to 1982 for a murder he did not commit. (Bumsted and Bumsted, 2022, pg. 545)

The case illuminated the broader issues within the justice system, emphasizing that "the illumination of the systemic failures... was particularly instructive for the country as a whole regarding the shortcomings of the justice system." (Bumsted and Bumsted, 2022, pg.545) This pointed towards a need for reform and addressing the inequalities faced by Indigenous individuals in the legal system.

Overall, the Donald Marshall case served as a stark reminder of the injustices faced by Indigenous people within the Canadian justice system and highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure fair and equal treatment for all individuals.