T Salazar

Yurok Tribal Court Judge Abby Abinanti uses a distinct approach in court room, highlighted in this article. As more tribes exercise their sovereignty, tribal courts are returning to traditional methods of restorative-justice through peacemaking programs and alternative sentencing.  Other peacemakers also weigh in on the status of tribal court program development, challenges, and success stories.  Click here to read more.

American Indian Justice Conference – December 7-8, 2017 SAVE THE DATE! The National American Indian Courts Judges Association with the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative of the Native American Rights Fund will host the AIJC Conference at Agua Caliente Reservation December 7-8th.  Save the Date! Check out the flyer for more information. 

D.C. School Implements Restorative Justice Circle NPR’s Morning Edition featured Ron Brown College Preparatory school that focuses on helping young men of color.  Listen to how restorative justice circles are helping guide their students here.

Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Presents at NAICJA 2017 Conference Our Peacemakers have been busy sharing their knowledge! This week, members of NARF’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) Advisory Committee spoke on the panel “Peacemaking without Borders: Building Tribal-State Bridges” at the National American Indian Court Judges Association National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference.

Peacemaking at Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe – 9/29/17 An article published in The Mashpee Enterprse newspaper shares lessons of Peacemaking and traditional ways of resolving disputes, check out more here: “Tales From Granny Squannit: Peacemaking At the Forefront For Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe“

Tulalip Tribes – Healing to Wellness Court 10/9/17 Tulalip Tribes are nine months into their Healing to Wellness Court focused on a team based approach for restorative justice.  Overseeing the new inaugural program class are law and justice officials, counselors, and peer and family support.  The first class is set to graduate in 2018.  Check out more about this unique program at Healing Hands of Justice – Part I.

August 22-24th Circle Peacemaking Facilitation Training – Anchorage, AK Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. &  The Resource Basket Present this training supporting Restorative Practices for Alaska Native Youth at Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa (401 E. 6th Avenue Anchorage, AK).  Participants will learn and share theintentions, philosophies and styles of different approaches to using a Circle for restorativepractices, and identify an approach aligned with their community’s value of supporting AlaskaNative youth, while restoring overall… Read More »August 22-24th Circle Peacemaking Facilitation Training – Anchorage, AK

8/21 TODAY! “Tribal Justice” Will Be Streaming on PBS On Monday night, PBS POV will be showing the film, “Tribal Justice.” NARF’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative has worked closely with the film’s makers to raise awareness about indigenous justice in its many forms. We hope that you will take the time to see this film. Watch it on PBS POV or stream it free for a limited time during and after the broadcast from the link… Read More »8/21 TODAY! “Tribal Justice” Will Be Streaming on PBS

NAICJA Webinar 8/22 – “Planning the Healing to Wellness Court: Inspiration and Vision to get Started” NAICJA’s upcoming webinar looks like a great way to gather information about developing Peacemaking in your communities, check out the details at https://naicja.wildapricot.org/news/5019885 Wondering how to get started in developing a Healing to Wellness Court for your Tribe? In this free webinar you’ll learn more about developing your vision and plan as well as hearing lessons learned. Join us, or… Read More »NAICJA Webinar 8/22 – “Planning the Healing to Wellness Court: Inspiration and Vision to get Started”

Training – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma September 2017 On September 19-20th the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) including several advisory committee members will be providing a private advanced peacemaker training for community members, tribal officials and staff at the Choctaw Nation in Durant, OK. The training will include materials developed specifically for Choctaw Nation’s use and also cover the Nations own Peacemaking Act.  The act can be found here: https://www.choctawnation.com/sites/default/files/Choctaw%20Nation%20Peacemaking%20Act.pdf

Congratulations Hon. Tim Connors – NCJFCJ Justice Innovation Award Recipient! Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Advisory Committee Member the Honorable Timothy Connors of the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County, Michigan was selected for The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) Innovator of the Year! Judge Connors’ work implementing Native American methods of peacemaking in tribal and community courts is deserving of recognition, thank you Tim! Judge Connors said, “I am forever grateful to the Michigan… Read More »Congratulations Hon. Tim Connors – NCJFCJ Justice Innovation Award Recipient!

Video – “Judge Spends Night In Jail With Man He Sentenced” Compassion can go a long way, check out this news clip of a North Carolina Judge who helped this man get through his sentence.  http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/judge-spends-night-in-jail-with-man-he-sentenced/

“Tribal Justice” Film wins 2017 Cinetopia Film Festival Director’s Award! We are happy to announce “Tribal Justice” directed by Anne Makepeace has won the Festival Director’s award after a 11 day film festival held in Michigan, Cinetopia.   Two Native American judges reach back to traditional concepts of justice in order to reduce incarceration rates, foster greater safety for their communities and create a more positive future for youth. See trailer here: https://vimeo.com/196530073.  We are happy… Read More »“Tribal Justice” Film wins 2017 Cinetopia Film Festival Director’s Award!

Peacemaking and Family Courts in Washtenaw, MI Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Advisory Board Member the Honorable Timothy Connors  is featured in this short film about his work with the Michigan Child Welfare System and his work using a restorative justice approach and Native American traditions for healing in his courtroom.  Watch the video here by Michigan Radio.

“Tribal Justice” Film Screening at Cinetopia Film Festival – Michigan “Tribal courts number in the hundreds throughout the United States. They offer a traditional, communal justice system for Native Americans and have become beacons of criminal justice reform due to their emphasis on restoration and rehabilitation rather than punishment and incarceration.” Join the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative in the screening of this important film and learn more about Peacemaking. Q&A sessions will following each screening .… Read More »“Tribal Justice” Film Screening at Cinetopia Film Festival – Michigan

Law Review Article – “Anishinaabe Law and The Round House” Matthew Fletcher wrote a great law review article on traditional dispute resolution see abstract below. Abstract: This paper addresses the Indian country criminal justice system’s difficulties through the context of the Great Lakes Anishinaabeg’s traditional customs, traditions, and laws, and their modern treatment of crime. Louise Erdrich’s The Round House expertly captures the reality of crime and fear of crime in Anishinaabe Indian country, and offers… Read More »Law Review Article – “Anishinaabe Law and The Round House”