Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative
Attorney: Steve Moore

Case Update

The Advisory Committee for this NARF case matter decided to change the name to Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative (IPI). Made possible by a long-term anonymous grant, the mission of the IPI is to promote and support Native peoples in restoring sustainable peacemaking practices. This project provides NARF with an opportunity to support traditional peacemaking and community building practices as an extension of Indian law and sovereign rights.

Peacemaking is a community-directed process to develop consensus on a conflict resolution plan that addresses the concerns of all interested parties. The peacemaking process uses traditional rituals such as the group circle, and Clan structures, to involve the parties to a conflict, their supporters, elders and interested community members. Within the circle, people can speak from the heart in a shared search for understanding of the conflict, and together identify the steps necessary to assist in healing all affected parties and prevent future occurrences and conflicts.

We will accomplish the IPI mission by:

  • Promoting Traditional Peacemaking Practices
  • Raising awareness about peacemaking practice
  • Spotlighting existing programs that have had success with model
  • Coordinating a Traditional Peacemaking Practices Clearinghouse
  • Creating a peacemaking clearinghouse by cataloging codes, manuals, curriculums and best practices
  • Digitizing all records for easy dissemination
  • Creating an anthology of successful programs and individuals within peacemaking
  • Convening Traditional Peacemaking Meetings
  • Coordinating meetings for a variety of audiences interested in peacemaking
  • Tribal Leaders, Tribal Peacemakers, Tribal Judges, Policymakers, Non-Native Peacemakers

Training and Teaching Opportunities

  • Documenting and disseminating best practices
  • Development of curriculum, case studies, and tools
  • Provide training on various components and techniques of peacemaking

Mentoring and Nurturing

  • Supporting relationships and mentoring between and among individual peacemakers, programs, and communities

The Advisory Committee consists of traditional peacemaking experts and practitioners, including NARF Board member Barbara Smith. We have focused our initial efforts on the creation of the clearinghouse, conducting needs assessment of peacemaker resources, and developing a sustainable business model for the program.

Most recently, we are in the process of analyzing the results of a national survey of peacemaking needs in Indian communities. Approximately 230 survey forms were filled out and returned. We will use the survey results to help shape a national conference on peacemaking hosted by the Chickasaw Nation.

Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative Advisory Committee:

L to R: Steve Moore, James Botsford, Barbara A. Smith, Phil Bluehouse, Nora Antoine, David Raasch , Diane LeResche