Peacemaking News

David Raasch to Serve on State Bar of Wisconsin Committee Advisory Committee member David Raasch (Stockbridge-Munsee) will be serving on a committee to address disparate and mass incarceration in Wisconsin.  He will be joining the committee be on April 17, 2018.  Dave will likely be promoting circle processes in sentencing and re-entry contexts, as he often does.  More information can be found at: “Mass and Disparate Incarceration in Wisconsin: It’s Our Problem”

Article – “A Native American Tribe Is Using Traditional Culture to Fight Addiction Penobscot Nation located in Maine has set up a Health to Wellness Court to help their citizens overcome addiction.  For the past 5 years, using a cultural curriculum and talking circles, this article highlights the journey of one Penobscot citizen on his journey to recovery. Read the article and view the short video here: https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/59knjz/a-native-american-tribe-is-using-traditional-culture-to-fight-addiction

Article – “10 Questions: Native American Judge Devotes Legal Career to Restorative Justice Chief Judge Abby Abinanti of the Yurok Tribe gives an enticing interview to the American Bar Association Journal including her dedication to the tribal court’s approach of justice including a wellness program, community restitution program led by a community-based approach to restorative justice.  Read more here: http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/native_american_judge_restorative_justice

Article – “First Nations Court Smart Move” After viewing the movie Tribal Justice, a compelling editorial in support of restorative justice implementation in tribal courts is supported and published in the Prince George Citizen. To read the editorial, click here.  More about the film Tribal Justice can be found at https://vimeo.com/196530073.

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 court system’s Fairness, Diversity and Equality Committee. Retired Superior Court Judge Eric Smith was asked by the Court to… Read More »Article – “Alaska State Court Acts to Advance Tribal Circle Sentencing”

Exit, Pursued by a Bear: Why Peacemaking Makes Sense in State Court Justice Systems | Judicial Division Indigenous  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 Petoskey, Shawn Watts, and Cheryl Fairbanks. Read this enlightening article by following the link below. Source: Exit, Pursued by… Read More »Exit, Pursued by a Bear: Why Peacemaking Makes Sense in State Court Justice Systems | Judicial Division

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 2017 Last week Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative members attended and hosted panels at the American Indian Justice Conference hosted in Palm Springs, CA.

Photo – Training from Eastern Band or Cherokee Indians Several 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.  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