Peacemaking News

IPI convened a meeting of approximately 30 peacemakers, from all across the US and Canada, on Friday March 5 to discuss cultural appropriation and peacemaking.   The group is putting finishing touches on a statement the peacemakers wanted to issue for all who are interested, so watch for that soon. In the meantime, here is a screen shot from one point in the meeting.

Peacemaker Judge Tim Connors A peek into honorable Judge Tim Connors court room. The practice of implementing peacemaking, a circular acknowledgment of one another. 

Peacemakers Recourse for Trauma Impact The recent St. Paul Island project – Tanaam Awaa:  ‘Our Community’s Work’ Trauma-Informed Benchbook for Tribal Justice Systems” is an amazing work, both in content and aesthetically. Peaceamkers deal with trauma-impacted people all the time, just like judges, so this is very useful info and we are fortunate to the leadership of Judge Voluck at St. Paul Island in developing and sharing this resource. Go ahead, take a look- you’ll be… Read More »Peacemakers Recourse for Trauma Impact

Great photo of two Hawai’ian powerhouses in the Hawai’ian and Indigenous Health and Healing roundhouse, Manulani Aluli Meyer and Aunty Lynette Pagliniwan. These two are helping lead the way of a resurgence of Hawai’ian lifeways and healing from the colonial disruption. We are proud to have Manu as an Advisory Committee member for the IPI, and also to share in Aunty Lynette’s knowledge and insights whenever possible!

Podcast: “Notes from America” Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Advisory Committee members, Polly Hyslop and Cheryl Demmert Fairbanks are interviewed by Petrina Engelke for the German podcast, “Notes from America” also known as “Notizen aus Amerika.” The “Notes from America” podcast focuses on U.S. culture and politics. This episode specifically centers on conflict resolution from an Indigenous perspective. Advisory committee members, Polly and Cheryl’s part starts at 36:15 min. The English version will be forthcoming. https://notizenausamerika.de/2020/12/usa-das-gespaltene-land/

Congratulations to Advisory Committee Member, Carson Smith (Choctaw Nation Citizen)! Big congratulations to our colleague in peacemaking work, Advisory Committee member Carson Smith, (a Choctaw Nation citizen) she recently successfully completed her Master’s program at Oxford! Big things to come!  Carson’s next role is already in process, she is the first ever recipient of the Dispute Resolution Fellowship at Stanford University. Go Carson!

NATIVE COMMUNITIES: This Is Not Our First Pandemic   Photo: Indigenous Representatives from around to world standing together to represent their respective communities. Photo provided by Sarah Ortegon   “Though tragic, it has also brought truth to light. Communities can create their own independent ecosystems of caring with food, housing, education, and health care for their people.” This yes! magazine article discusses using the wisdom of tribal communities to adapt to the pandemic and includes… Read More »NATIVE COMMUNITIES: This is Not Our First Pandemic

The National Congress of American Indians will hold its annual convention, this year online, November 8-13.  This leading organization endorses the IPI, and has great things to say about peacemaking: “in the interests of protecting and promoting tribal sovereignty, strengthening Tribal governments, advancing Tribal self determination and advancing health and welfare of American Indians and Alaska Natives by providing more culturally appropriate and functional dispute resolution systems, the NCAI does hereby express its support for… Read More »NEWS: National Congress of American Indians Resolution Supporting Peacemaking

Honolulu Pilot Presents a “More Hawai’ian” Way of Dealing with Juvenile Offenders. Intervention with traditional teachings means to address overrepresentation of Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islanders in the juvenile justice system. This article is well worth the read. Please click here for the full article: https://www.civilbeat.org/2015/05/spiritual-healing-a-more-hawaiian-way-to-deal-with-delinquent-kids/

The Life Comes From It grantmaking circle, supports “grassroots movement-building work rooted in lived experience and relationships for restorative justice, transformative justice, and indigenous peacemaking”. They are recruiting candidates to apply for their next round of funding. The grantmaking is intended to support (1) individual projects and (2) networks, convenings, and collaborations that enhance movement building. If you have anything that might use such support, please apply at: https://www.lifecomesfromit.org/apply

Here is a nice resource for peacemakers (and the rest of us!) that can be helpful when memories of traumatic events get triggered. Some quick tips on self- care. Peacemakers can suggest them to participants having difficulties, or you can even keep it handy to help yourself in difficult times.  

Circle Peacemaking: A Timeless Practice Becomes Trendy, authored by Mike A Jackson, is a brief and comprehensive slideshow that was provided in a training on peacemaking by Mike Jackson, IPI Advisory Committee member and recognized leader of circle peacemaking across North America. To view the slideshow, please download it here: https://peacemaking.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Circle-Peacemaking-A-Timeless-Practice-Becomes-Trendy.pdf

IPI NARF Attorney Brett Lee Shelton, acting in his personal capacity, had an op-ed published in Indian Country Today. While not related to NARF business, it may be of interest.  Share if you’d like: https://indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/federal-medicaid-policy-provides-much-needed-resources-for-native-communities-lGCHt1iiNkmW9XV1M4bM-w

New Mexico Supreme Court Senior Justice Barbara Vigil gave the keynote address at Building Better Child Welfare Courts Together, an online symposium co-hosted by IPI online on July 30. Other IPI-related speakers included Brett Lee Shelton, Cheryl Fairbanks, Kevin Briscoe, Timothy Connors, Robert Yazzie, and former NARF Board member and longtime supporter Verna Teller .

NEWS: What are Obstacles to Accountability? It is useful for peacemakers is knowing what those around the circle with you are going through.  This short video explains why people struggle with accountability- it’s hard work and uncomfortable, scary. Understanding can help you help them. Check out the video at the link, it’ll be worth your time!  Featuring friend to IPI Sonya Shah! Since May 2020, protesters across the United States are demanding that cities defund… Read More »NEWS: What are Obstacles to Accountability?