9th annual International Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution (April 10th) You are invited  to our 9th annual International Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution, Wed. April 10, 2019 @ 12-2:30 pm (Pacific Coast Time). IPI advisors Polly Hyslop and Brett Lee Shelton will be presenting. Download the conference agenda. For nearly a decade, the International Cyber-Conference, starting in

WORKSHOP: “Implementing Peacemaking Circles in Higher Education at Stanford University” IPI will be at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice conference in June.  This workshop will address the following objectives: One cutting-edge model for teaching non-native college students several beneficial practices associated with indigenous peacemaking circles. Successful model to Integrate peace circles into college

WORKSHOP: “Healing Historical Trauma in Native America and the US – operationalizing from Rocks, Karma, Arrows” IPI will be at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice conference in June. One of our workshops at the conference will be using a a performance “Rocks, Karma, Arrows” from a local theater group to address the

The National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) is hosting their conference June 14-16, 2019 in Denver, CO. The Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI) Advisory Committee members will be sharing their knowledge at seven workshops at the conference. Please join the NACRJ and IPI for this enlightening event. Workshops by IPI include: “Healing Historical Trauma

Article – “Beyond VAWA: Protecting Native Women From Sexual Violence Within Existing Tribal Jurisdictional Structures” This article addresses different approaches that Tribal nations might use to address cases involving domestic violence. Included is a good description of peacemaking and the considerations of its suitability in these cases, as well as a discussion of diversion programs,

Peacemaker Patrick Wilson Honored in Michigan The Michigan Supreme Court and the Tribal-State-Federal Judicial Forum honored Peacemaker Patrick Wilson, from the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, for his instrumental work on the Forum and for helping install peacemaking in the Washtenaw County state court.  (click here for the news release)

News – Peacemaking featured in Trends in State Courts 2018 Annual Publication Native American peacemaking practices are examined in this article including differentiating between peacemaking and other forms of dispute resolution, appropriate issues to take to peacemaking programs, and how and when in the court process a case get referred to a peacemaking program. Read

News – Tulalip Healing to Wellness Court graduates first person to complete program Tulalip tribe is celebrating their first graduate with more to come. See article here: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/tulalip-man-first-to-graduate-from-tribes-wellness-court/

News – “As drug courts expand across the country, this tribe was one of the first for Native Americans” Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court celebrates 20 years of service this year. Congratulations Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa, check out the article here for more details:https://www.circa.com/story/2018/12/13/nation/drug-court-for-native-americans-in-the-sault-ste-marie-tribe-of-chippewa-indians-has-been-perfected-over-time

News – “New Poll: When It Comes to Addressing Crime, New Mexico Voters Want Rehabilitation not Incarceration More and more, people are starting to see the benefits of alternatives to the adversarial system.  A recently published poll in New Mexico reveals that 75% support rehabilitation and treatment over punitive approaches to crime, click on the

Denver, CO – Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative to Present at AFCC 13th Annual Symposium on Child Custody On Friday, November 9, 2018 IPI members Tim Connors and Brett Shelton will present at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) for an afternoon (3:30-5:00 PM) session: Evidence Reboot: From Traditional Custody Evaluation to Peacemaking.  If you are

Lansing Michigan “Tribal Justice” screening with special guest Abby Abinanti On October 31, 2018, there will be a special screening of the documentary “Tribal Justice” along with a talk by the Honorable Abby Abinanti, one of the two Tribal Judges featured in the film.  The event will take place at the Michigan Hall of Justice

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Honor Peacemaker Timothy Connors The Nme’ Peacemaking Gavel by Patrick D. Wilson About three years ago my good friend and fellow Peacemaker Judge Timothy Connors attended the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Sturgeon Release. Tim relayed that he was immensely moved and felt a profound connection to the

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hears Testimony from Yurok Tribal Court’s Abbi Abinanti Peacemaking Judge Abby Abinanti, Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribal Court, spoke to congress in regards to Justice for Native American Youth, follow this link: “Justice for Native Youth: the GAO Report on ‘Native American Youth: “Involvement in Justice Systems and Information on

Indigenous Peacemaking Goes to International Forum Carson Smith of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma traveled to Caux, Switzerland this July to speak at the Caux Forum on “Just Governance for Human Security”. The international cross-section of participants at the event created a perfect environment to discuss human rights on a global scale. Carson’s presentation generally

NEWS – Life Comes From It – first of its kind grantmaking circle The Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative is pleased to be helping spread the word about the establishment of a new initiative, Life Comes From It.  This is a  first of its kind grantmaking circle where decisions are made by people heavily steeped in restorative

Article: “Penobscot Nation drug court finds success by connecting participants with their roots” Penobscot Healing to Wellness Court has been in existence for 10 years and is benefiting the community in numerous ways, check out the article and the success of one man’s healing journey. Penobscot Nation drug court finds success by connecting participants with

“Spirituality and Peacemaking” – Peacemakers From Across Turtle Island Gather for Advanced Training Pictured here are participants in the Advanced Peacemaker Training Course, “Spirituality and Peacemaking” which took place on, August 24, 2018 at the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal  Court Building in Manistee, Michigan. We are grateful to all of the fantastic

Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation Hosts IPI On August 3, 2018 the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Peacemakers presented to the All- Potawatomi National Gathering Judicial Conference.  Also there to share their knowledge were Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative members.

Peacemakers at “The Movement of Movements: The Healing Worldview of Indigenous Peoples” Conference #TBT to last week when Karen Biestman (Stanford University), Brett Lee Shelton (IPI Senior Staff Attorney), and Jasmine Yepa (Jemez Pueblo), spoke about IPI’s work and advances in Peacemaking at the National Native Philanthropy Institute at Santa Ana Pueblo on June 14.