48th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference is Accepting Requests for Presentation ProposalsDate: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 – Friday, October 13, 2017Where: Isleta Resort & Casino – Albuquerque, NMConference 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

Michigan Judicial Institute – Advanced New Judges SeminarDate: Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:00 AM – Friday March, 31, 2017 4:00 PMWhere: Crowne Plaza Hotel- Lansing, MIMichigan 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

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

Tribal Justice: Film Premier and TrailerWatch 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/

Deadline Extended for Position Announcement: OregonPosition Announcement: Tribal judge position in Oregon, very limited hours per week, with some peacemaking interface. Currently it is part-time but it could become more if the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court (Drug Court) becomes operational.  Deadline extended to February 24, 2017.CONFEDERATED TRIBES OFCOOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANSTRIBAL COURT1245

Ontario approves establishment of Indigenous People's Court in Thunder BayThe Chief Justice's Office, in the Ontario Court of Justice has approved the establishment of an Indigenous People's Court in Thunder Bay.The new Court will use a restorative justice approach to sentencing.It will also emphasize Indigenous culture and traditions to help heal Indigenous clients in conflict

Joint therapeutic court launches in KenaiThe Henu’ Community Wellness Court is on the brink of admitting its first participant after more than a year of work to get off the ground.A joint therapeutic-style court formed between the state and the Kenatize Indian Tribe, the program will target and admit those facing long felony sentences relating

A Mexican Indigenous Community Finds Its Own WayDispute resolution and many other functions of government are handled on a radically local level in this Mexican indigenous community.  Not that long ago, community members fought  to reestablish their rights to govern themselves, free from the colonial and cartel forces that have previously taken them for granted.Read

Exit, Pursued By a Bear: Why Peacemaking Makes Sense in State Court Justice SystemsMichigan Judge Timothy Connors advocates peacemaking as an alternative path because “it works,” explaining that this alternative path for state courts helps them live up to their public responsibility to help heal controversy.  The article includes reference to the NARF Indigenous Peacemaking

The Indigenous Practice That Is Transforming the Adversarial ProcessA brief but comprehensive read from The Judges’ Journal  providing background in several areas.  First, the author recounts the historical origins of use of circles for justice practices and describes the Kake, Alaska, practice of using circles – Grief Circles, Peacemaking Circles, Suicide Prevention Circles, Celebration Circles,

Michigan’s Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum – Attempting Great ThingsMichigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget McCormack explains how Michigan’s tribal , state , and federal courts have created a unique partnership regarding tribal children and families—drawing on their shared goals of ensuring the proper administration of justice within their jurisdictions, resolving disputes in a manner that

SAMHSA Is Accepting Applications for 2017 GrantsThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2017 Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Adult Treatment Drug Courts and Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts. Up to $54.6 million in funding is available over the course of three years.APPLICATION

A Framework for Understanding Tribal Courts and the Application of Fundamental LawThrough an examination of scholarly articles, this paperdiscusses traditional tribal justice systems set in tribal communities. This effort establishes a framework for  understanding tribal courts and the unique challenges they face.Read the full scholarly article by April L. Wilkinson in Volume 15 of the

There Is Hope: Time to Follow an Indigenous Model for Peace in AmericaI’m a disciple of John Mohawk, a dearly departed Seneca philosopher and professor.  He introduced me to the Great Law, a model for peacemaking and peacekeeping amongst warring nations—communities where there is a genuine divide.  I’m simply going to quote his 2004 take