Ojibwe Culture based Mediation Court

This award is made under the FY 2006 Tribal Courts Assistance Program and it supports the development, implementation, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal justice systems. Allowable elements under the program may include, but are not limited to: establishing a core structure for a tribal court, improving case management, training court personnel, acquiring additional equipment and/or software, enhancing prosecution and indigent defense, supporting probation diversion and alternative sentencing programs, accessing services, focusing on juvenile services and multi disciplinary protocols for child physical and sexual abuse, and structuring intertribal or tribal appellate systems.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians proposes to use this grant to help create and operate a mediation court. The mediation court will utilize an Ojibwe culture-based method of negotiating peaceful co-existence between individuals and families brought before the court. The purpose of the mediation court will be to mediate a range of solutions for peaceful co-existence between participants in disputes, suits, complaints and criminal charges. The proposed project will build the capacity of the Red Lake court system to address its overcrowded calendar as well as to foster Ojibwe culture-based justice.

CA/NCF