In September 2005, the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice funded ten demonstration projects under its new Community-Based Problem-Solving Criminal Justice Initiative. The following is a summary of the Chippewa Indians’ winning proposal.
The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, in partnership with a Peacemaker Steering Committee comprised of representatives from seven Tribal Divisions/Departments, is creating a Peacemaker Court (Bemaadziiwiin, or “Peaceful Life”) for its Tribal community, based on the concepts of restorative justice as well as traditional Indian notions of justice. Viewing crime and offending as a conflict between individuals, restorative justice seeks to reconcile parties and find solutions to conflict through the active participation of victims, offenders, and communities. Many Tribal Communities have adopted or “reclaimed” this form of justice within their communities.
The Peacemaker Court seeks to combat high risk factors for victimization and incarceration, and to restore balance in the lives of defendants and plaintiffs by using community mediators to assist individuals and families. A major focus of this project is to provide alternative methods of adjudication for Tribal membership: the Court will enable the Judge to offer this voluntary program as a sentencing option if the client meets the criteria determined by the Peacemaker Steering Committee as appropriate and necessary for remediation. Based on screening and assessment of defendants and plaintiffs, the Peacemakers will identify needs, determine which offenders enter early diversion, or are placed on the Peacemaker Court docket, as well as provide means of aiding victims with their identified priorities.
It is the intent of the Tribal Court that this program be available in five sites within the seven county service area. Therefore, representatives from each area will be provided the opportunity to become a Peacemaker, review cases for Tribal members, and conduct a peacemaker Court proceeding in their respective locations.