Peacemaking Program Since time immemorial, Din have been unified - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Navajo Nation Peacemaking Program

K’e Bee Hózhǭǭ N1hoodlee[

Since time immemorial, Diné have been unified as a People by strong traditions. Our traditions are based on teachings that were given to us so that we could live in harmony with our world, our fellow Diné, our Clans and families, and

• urselves—

so that we can Walk in Beauty.

Navajo Nation Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is made up of courts, and judges who apply statutory law to determine winners, losers, guilt and

• innocence. This is an Anglo-based

approach to law. If we are to have both legal and cultural sovereignty, Diné must also have culturally-based justice. That is the role of Peacemaking.

K’e Bee Hózhǭǭ N1hoodlee[

Based on our traditional teachings, disputes have been resolved by bringing all the affected people together, and with the help of a respected elder or leader, talking it out to decide for themselves what “justice” means.

K’e Bee Hózhǭǭ N1hoodlee[

The core mission of the Peacemaking Program is to implement Navajo culture through the facilitation of traditional justice practices. This requires that Peacemaking also:

• Inform through outreach
• Educate through curriculum and mentoring
• Provide Expertise for the Judicial Branch and

the Navajo Nation

• Contribute Navajo traditional approaches to

negotiations and policy development.

Priorities

• f the

Peacemaking Program

Peacemaking Program Priorities:

• 1. Inclusive of all Faiths
• 2. Children & Family Hózh̨̨̩̩ó
• 3. Status and Respect Accorded to

Elders

• 4. Protection of Vulnerable Adults
• 5. Extreme Family Discord
• 6. Restorative Justice

Programs for Youth Navajo Youth are Suffering

Issue

Navajo Youth US Average Thoughts of suicide (2014)

21.8%

17%

Attempted suicide (2014)

10.4% 8%

Child Maltreatment

18.3% 9.2%

Sexual Violence

25% 9%

Programs for Youth

Our highest responsibility as Diné is the care, protection, and nurturing of our children. When our children struggle and stumble, they are showing us that we are not meeting

• ur responsibilities.

When our children suffer, our Nation suffers. They are sacred, and our future.

Programs for Youth

We know that youth who:

 Are educated in and about their culture and  Connected to their family and community;  Have self-identity based on their heritage;  Receive culturally-relevant education; and  Experience culturally-based behavior expectations and correction

Commit fewer crimes Stay in school and graduate at higher rates Have higher life satisfaction and self-esteem

Programs for Youth

The Peacemaking Program offers programs for youth that are designed to:

• Provide traditional cultural education
• Teach culturally-based behavioral

expectations

• Develop conflict resolution skills to avoid

youth violence

• Create strong mentoring relationships with

caring adults

• Help troubled youth stay in school

Peacemaking Program Goals and Strategic Initiatives

• 1. More youth engagement, education and

mentoring

• 2. Family stability and re-unification services
• 3. Prisoner re-entry services
• 4. Policy development contributions, such as Diné

Action Plan for Suicide, Violence, and Addiction

• 5. Sharing resources with other agencies, such as

staff and client training in traditional cultural topics, and joint case management

• 6. Greater resource to Courts and Community to

provide traditional pathway for dispute resolution

• 7. Support Navajo Nation with traditional approach in

inter-agency and other negotiations