White Earth Alternative Justice Project

The White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized tribe located in Mahnomen, Becker and Clearwater Counties in northwestern Minnesota. With this funding, White Earth will: Goal: Restore indigenous peacemaking circle process to resolve disputes and heal our communities. This will be accomplished through the following Objectives:  Objective 1) Strengthen the effectiveness of the judicial system through the creation of a cultural-based peacemaking court; Objective 2) Empower community members by a direct and active role in addressing conflicts and crimes that affect their community; Objective 3) Reduce Native American revocation rates by creating an environment of accountability and responsibility through the utilization of a restorative justice practice; and Objective 4) Reduce the number of criminal charges upon youth 18-25 years of age through participation in a peacemaking diversion court.White Earth is requesting $899,999 over 5 years for Purpose Area 3.  The proposed project will create a peacemaking court, designed as a voluntary diversion court, which will work to heal damaged relationships and restore harmony to our communities though a traditional model of dispute resolution.  A FTE Peacemaking Facilitator will be hired Year 1 and another FTE Facilitator will be hired Year 3.  Peacemaking training will be provided for respected community members to become circle facilitators also.  By utilizing well known, respected community members, the project will build community ownership and capacity to address factors associated with offending and victimization.  This process gives a voice to the victim and the community.   The project will conduct a minimum of 40 Peacemaking Circles per year and serve 200 clients over the 5-Year grant period.  Anticipated outcomes include: Reduction of county jail and prison admission rates, reduction of revocation/ recidivism rates for the counties and reduction of district court caseloads through diversion, reduction of crime/police service calls, and ultimately reduce the financial burden on both county and tribal resources.   The receipt of funding for Purpose Area 3 is not required for the implementation of any other purpose area being requested.