Student Papers on Peacemaking

IPI has collaborated for several years with the Native American Community Center and Native American Studies Department at Stanford University to provide education about peacemaking to students and also develop and explore pedagogical innovations to improve our teaching about peacemaking.

The 2024-2025 version of this work was an Indigenous Peacemaking course taught in Spring 2025.  The final papers completed by the students as part of their course requirements were wonderfully done and worthy of sharing on the web for others to use.  This is a collection of student papers, published after the class was over and grades turned in. The author of each paper included here has given permission for their paper to be published. There is a video produced about this work on the videos page.

A Coeur d’Alene Healing to Wellness Court: What Other Tribal Successes and Hardships Mean
for Implementation by Sophia Allan

Explores the history and future prospects of implementing a healing-to-wellness court at one Tribe, looking specifically to other Tribal models of implementation and evaluating with attention to Tribally-relevant measures of success rather than rubrics developed outside of the Tribal context. 

Comparing Indigenous Peacemaking Practices Between Ho’oponopono, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, and Mayan Communities by Pualii Zidek 

Compares and contrasts three diverse cultures’ implementation of traditional Indigenous dispute resolution by analyzing within a framework of several different characteristics selected by the author.

How have traditional Indigenous peacemaking practices evolved over time? How do Indigenous communities intertwine traditional peacemaking methods into their modern court systems? by Nalani Colgrove

Compares and offers explanations for differences in peacemaking programs at the Karuk Tribe of Northern California and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

Wičoȟ’aŋ Kiŋ Uŋkitȟa-Wakȟaŋyeža Awáŋuŋyaŋkapi The Duty to Protect Our Children – How the Oglala Sioux Tribal Code Encourages Peacemaking in Community Spaces by Demetrius Brown 

Evaluates one Tribe’s child welfare code for incorporation of traditional instrumentalities, discussing strengths and benefits, and also provides suggestions for further development.

Restoring Respect and Safety: Protecting Women and Children in Restorative Practices for Domestic Violence Cases in Tribal Communities by Caitlan Nockideneh

Explores best practices in both larger, infrastructure-based Tribes and smaller (low-population) Tribes, as well as common histories and challenges.

Domestic Violence in Tribal Jurisdiction by Ava Lilymoon Stanley

Discusses the background of Tribal authorities and responses to domestic violence within their jurisdictions, describes various responses to domestic violence in Indian Country, and concludes with recommendations on ways to provide better responses and protections.

Indigenous Resilience and Adaptation in the Face of Colonial Pressures: A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Peacemaking on the Navajo Nation and in Kake, Alaska by Agayaq Taylor

Describes how different historical and colonial contexts led to very different approaches to implementing traditional peacemaking in two different Native American communities

Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Ta Woope and Traditional Lakota Practices by Adriana Young

Discusses how the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Children and Family Code incorporates traditional values, kinship practices, and traditional language in support of applying a Lakota worldview in order to encourage better decisions for children’s welfare and preserve community peace.