Remembering a true Friend, Relative, Ally, and Advocate, Tim Connors 10/23/2026 We are very sad to report that one of our good friends, relatives, and allies, retired Judge Tim Connors of Ann Arbor Michigan, journeyed to the spirit world on October 8, 2026.  His official obituary is at the link HERE. Tim

IPI Topic: Why Peacemaking Works 9/10/2026 Why Does Peacemaking Work, Especially in Indigenous Communities?  By Brett Lee Shelton (Oceti Sakowin, Oglala Sioux Tribe) Native American Rights Fund The term Peacemaking has fairly recently been adopted by many practitioners of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), especially those whose practice is based largely on

IPI Topic: IPI Advisors Circle 8/7/2026 NARF’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) has long been guided by a volunteer group of advisors who are experts in Indigenous peacemaking, each from their own unique perspective.  Having this group guide the work creates a well-guided set of goals and priorities, and a focus that

The National Association of Community and Restorative Justice, held July 7-10, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana 7/15/2026 NARF's Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) was represented recently at the bi-annual conference of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice, held July 7-10, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pictured above, at

Recording from NCSC webinar: The Case for Peacemaking Court The National Center for State Courts recently sponsored a webinar on peacemaking courts in Michigan, featuring the story of how the peacemaking court developed in the Washtenaw County State Court in Ann Arbor, and discussion of the Peacemaking Court

2026 Central California Introduction to Peacemaking Training Peacemaking Trainers  (L-R): Donna Chippewa (Grand Traverse Band), JoAnne Cook (Grand Traverse Band), Brett Lee Shelton (Oglala Sioux Tribe), Jason Wesaw (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians) On May 27-29 2026, the Native American Rights Fund’s (NARF’s) Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI)

Article: Advisory Circle member, Judge Connors, receives Judicial Excellence Award The Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan recently presented its Judicial Excellence Award to the Honorable Timothy P. Connors in recognition of more than 34 years of distinguished service on the bench.” The recognition included Connor’s groundbreaking work on peacemaking in state

Article: Indigenous Parents Reclaim Traditional Governance in Bismarck Schools Please read article here.

Article: Boulder Quakers Support Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Please read the full article here.

Peacemakers for a New Generation Conference Peacemakers for a New Generation conference to be held Aug 14-16 2024, at the Little River Casino and Resort, Manistee, Michigan- mark your calendars!  Deadline to submit is February 16, 2024.  Contact Information: Email (patrickwilson@lrboi-nsn.gov) Phone number: (231) 398-2239 Open: 8:00AM-4:00PM (M-F)  

IPI and Stanford Native American Cultural Center Collaboration Video For several years, NARF’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) has worked closely with Stanford University’s Native American Community Center to help create peacemaking educational programming at Stanford, which in turn has helped IPI build on its own educational abilities. The project has been a resounding success so

Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians Peacemaking Training NARF Attorney Brett Lee Shelton and Peacemaker and Guest Trainer JoAnne Cook are pictured with participants in the first ever Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians Peacemaking Training, held at Seven Arrows Casino and Hotel, Canyonville, Oregon, on April 21-23, 2023.  The energetic and engaged group shows

California State and Tribal Court judges, and organizers, including NARF Staff Attorney Shelton, pose after the October 26, 2022 Inaugural Central California Tribal Justice Collaborative Judges’ Dinner, held at the Chukchansi Resort near Coarsegold, California.  Shelton was a featured speaker for the program, discussing Indigenizing Child Welfare Decisions. 

Peacemaking Training for the Choctaw Nation Staff Attorneys Brett Lee Shelton (Oceti Sakowin Oyate) and Beth M. Wright (Pueblo of Laguna), along with IPI Advisory Committee member Polly Hyslop (Upper Tanana) provide peacemaking training for the Choctaw Nation Judicial Branch in Durant, OK Oct 3 and 4, 2022

Congratulations to IPI Advisory Committee Member Carson Smith!             Congratulations to IPI Advisory Committee member Carson Smith, who was recently announced as a recipient of the prestigious Knight-Hennessy scholarship to Stanford University where she will study law. As the biography at the link below shows, she is sure to continue

    The 12th annual International Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution will take place Wednesday April 6, from Noon to 2:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time.  This is a global town-hall style dialog between practitioners working in the public and private sectors, and always includes compelling guest speakers from around the world. There is still time to

“Using Peacemaking Circles to Indigenize Tribal Child Welfare” By Lauren van Schilfgaarde & Brett Lee Shelton   Historical child welfare policies explicitly aimed to exterminate Indigenous culture and disrupt tribal cohesion. The remnants of these historical policies serve as the foundation for the contemporary child welfare system. These policies view the child as an isolated