Article - "Alaska State Court Acts to Advance Tribal Circle Sentencing"The Alaska Supreme Court has adopted two rules – Criminal Rule 11(i) and Delinquency Rule 23(f) – which authorize judges to refer cases to tribes and other entities for recommendations as to the appropriate sentence or disposition.  This was done at the recommendation of the

Exit, Pursued by a Bear: Why Peacemaking Makes Sense in State Court Justice Systems | Judicial DivisionIndigenous  Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) Advisory Committee member Tim Connors was published in the American Bar Association's Tribal Courts Journal, describing peacemaking courts in Michigan and a basic understanding of peacemaking.  Other IPI Advisory Committee members mentioned are Chief Judge Michael

Video - "Restorative Justice: A Justice That Heals"While there are many similarities between restorative justice and peacemaking, they are not the same.  Fania Davis provides insight.  Follow link to view her discussion.http://magazine.naropa.edu/2017-fall/features/restorative-justice.php

Photos - IPI at American Indian Justice Conference 2017Last week Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative members attended and hosted panels at the American Indian Justice Conference hosted in Palm Springs, CA. L-R: Brett Lee Shelton, Staff Attorney and Tribal Justice, Michael Petoskey, Chief Justice Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Robert Yazzie, Chief Justice Emeritus, and Cheryl Demmert Fairbanks,

Photo - Training from Eastern Band or Cherokee IndiansSeveral advisory committee  members of the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) provided an advanced peacemaker training for community members, tribal officials and staff at the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC. The training included materials developed specifically for the Tribe’s use in the community.

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. 

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 CircleNPR'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 ConferenceOur 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. Pictured L to R: Judge William Johnson

Peacemaking at Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - 9/29/17An 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 10/9/17Tulalip 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

August 22-24th Circle Peacemaking Facilitation Training - Anchorage, AKRural 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

8/21 TODAY! "Tribal Justice" Will Be Streaming on PBSOn 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

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

Training - Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma September 2017On 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

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

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