Sacred Justice — The Pokagon Band Of Potawatomi Native Justice Model: Unleashing The Power Of The Circle – Webinar – June 18, 2024
Held on June 18, 2024.
This webinar discussed how talking circles have long facilitated peaceful discussions and community gatherings.
The circles have been a place of equality, and now they will serve as a model for Tribal Courts as the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi brings back a tradition from long ago: Native Justice. The Pokagon Band describes Native Justice, which they also refer to as Peacemaking, as an alternative route to justice and an entirely different way to define justice compared to the adversarial, Western model. It is how they resolved conflicts using their traditions and customs, resolving disputes between citizens, without using the Tribal Courts that are often used today. It utilizes ceremonial traditions, talking circles, and circle keepers to bring people involved in disputes to common ground. They have it broken into three strands: 1) Native Justice Community Education and Awareness; 2) Community based Native Justice Community Conflict and Dispute Peace Circles; and 3) Native Justice tools for the Court: i.e. diversion, probation, etc.
This webinar session explored the philosophy, values, concepts, and framework of the Pokagon restorative justice model and their practices, differentiate them from those utilized in western system environments, and engaged attendees in a discussion about how these models and practices are being implemented by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
