Peacemaking News

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”

Possible Funding Opportunity – Lannan Indigenous Community Program Lannan Family Foundation is dedicated to cultural freedom with one of their programs being The Indigenous Communities Program (ICP).  The ICP supports the resolve of Native Americans to renew their communities through their own institutions and traditions click here for more information (a link to funding requests can be found on the right hand panel): http://www.lannan.org/programs/indigenous-communities/  

Announcement – Courses for Tribal Judges The National Judicial College is holding courses in Advanced Tribal Court Management (June 19-22nd), Court Management for Tribal Judges and Personnel (August 21-24), and Advanced Tribal Bench Skills: Competence, Confidence, and Control (October 23-26).  For more information and to register click on the link below! http://www.judges.org/courses/courses-by-judge-type/tribal/

Alaska Southeast Tribal Justice Court Grows Alaska Public Media highlights work being done in Southeast Tribal Court, one major focus is developing systems for young offenders, as well as those at risk of getting into trouble. That includes an early diversion program, which offers counseling and tutoring while encouraging involvement with extended family and cultural activities. “If we don’t intervene early, the youth are more likely to end up committing crimes or getting into trouble… Read More »Alaska Southeast Tribal Justice Court Grows

7th Annual International Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution When: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 (use the helpful chart below to find your timezone) Session                                    Time, AK                 Time, PDT                               Time, MDT                     Time, CDT Start of Conference                          11:00 am                      noon                                        1:00 pm                              … Read More »7th Annual International Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution

Lewis & Clark Hosts Colloquium – Pictures Earlier this month, the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative and Indian Child Welfare advocates came together at Lewis & Clark Law School for the ICWA & Peace Circles Colloquium.  Below are a few of the pictures from a successful event with IPI Advisory Committee members and allies.

48th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference is Accepting Requests for Presentation Proposals Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 – Friday, October 13, 2017 Where: Isleta Resort & Casino – Albuquerque, NM Conference Theme: “Tribal Justice: Building and Strengthening Relationships and Partnerships” The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) is soliciting requests for presentation proposals for their annual conference.  NAICJA is a Peacemaking Alliance member and focuses on strengthening tribal justice systems through education,… Read More »48th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference is Accepting Requests for Presentation Proposals

Michigan Judicial Institute – Advanced New Judges Seminar Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:00 AM – Friday March, 31, 2017 4:00 PM Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel- Lansing, MI Michigan Judicial Institute is holding a two day seminar packed with a variety of topics. NARF’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative project’s Advisory Committee member Hon. Timothy Connors is hosting a roundtable discussion about the Intersection of Federal Indian Tribal Law and State Law on Friday starting at 10… Read More »Michigan Judicial Institute – Advanced New Judges Seminar

Drug Court Begins In Forest County (WI) Thursday (3/9/17) was the first day for Drug Court in Forest County, a joint effort from the state court system at the Forest County Courthouse and Forest County Potawatomi Tribal Court to get persons convicted of drug offenses into treatment. Listen to the full report at the WXPR 91.7 Public Radio website.

Tribal Justice: Film Premier and Trailer Watch this 4-minute trailer for a new film showcasing tribal traditions being brought forward to good effect in California… Wonderful expression of how and why this all works! http://www.makepeaceproductions.com/tribaljustice/spotlight/