From: wizardsatlarge@yahoo.co.uk To: rainbow-circle@yahoogroups.com Subject: [rainbow-circle] Restorative Justice...the rainbow way?? Date: 04 October 2005 05:36 Hi everyone, this is Lisa..First sending BIG LOVE to all you lovely people out there....Second, opening a discussion about restorative justice. I see restorative justice as a valuable healing tool, just that...a tool, it may not solve all our issues on site but i think it is a good way to begin the process, what do you think? In a pioneering and exploratary spirit, i need your help. We need to devise our own 'Justice Initiative' Here are some bits that i have pasted from the Centre for Restorative Justice. You can go there to find out more. I would appreciate your thoughts on this as i put together the practical bits. "What is restorative justice? Restorative Justice is an old idea with a new name. Its roots can be found in Aboriginal healing traditions and the non-retaliatory responses to violence endorsed by many faith communities. It represents a return of the simple wisdom of viewing conflict as an opportunity for a community to learn and grow. It operates on the premise that conflict, even criminal conflict, inflicts harm, and therefore individuals must accept responsibility for repairing that harm. Communities are empowered to choose their response to conflict. Victims, offenders and communities actively participate in devising mutually beneficial solutions, and implementing those solutions. Conflicts are resolved in a way that restores harmony in the community members' relationships, and allows people to continue to live together in a safer, healthy environment. Restorative justice is ... ... a philosophy which views harm and crime as a violation of people and relationships. ... a holistic process that addresses the repercussions and obligations created by harm, with a view to putting things as right as possible. ... best practiced when guided by restorative values and principles and when those most affected are the focus." There is a lot of useful information available on the web about how this process can be used in school's and prison's to put things right and help to repair relationships, but let's hear about the Aborigines on this one. "Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Restorative Justice, June 2003: There are three elements that greatly assist in the full realization of Aboriginal justice initiatives: (1) the extent to which the program is designed and implemented by Aboriginal people; (2) the extent to which the program is supported by the Aboriginal community; (3) the extent to which the program is based upon culture, customs and traditions of the respective First Nation Community. One such Aboriginal justice initiative is Qwi:qwelsto`m – the Sto:lo Nation justice program. Qwi:qwelsto`m is the Halq`eme`1ylem word that best describes "justice" according to the Sto:lo worldview. It reflects a "way of life" that incorporates balance and harmony, it is a way of helping one another to survive and to care and share amongst all people; it is a form of justice that focuses on relationships and the interconnectedness of all living life (oral tradition). Qwi:qwelsto`m currently serves two functions. First and foremost, it is a means by which the Stol:lo people are given an opportunity to assert our inherent right to be self- determining and, therefore, the right to experience "justice" according to Sto:lo customs and traditions. It is a means by which "justice" is brought back to the people in the sense that they are given an opportunity to play meaningful roles in not only the problem, but also the solution. Qwi:qwelsto`m is about being responsible. A person who has caused harm is given the opportunity to take responsibility within a forum that focuses on maintaining ties and community connections. Most of the work involved with Qwi:qwelsto`m is done through "circle work" where Elders play a role and family is the center of all activities. Of the Sto:lo, this forum of relating to others is safe, non-confrontational and provides an equal voice to all participants. It is also inherently spiritual, which often encourages and facilitates healing." So i would suggest that for Restorative Justice to work for the rainbow circle we should consider the following... There are three elements that greatly assist in the full realization of Rainbow Circle justice initiatives: (1) the extent to which the program is designed and implemented by Rainbow Circle people; (2) the extent to which the program is supported by the Rainbow community; (3) the extent to which the program is based upon culture, customs and traditions of the respective Community. Maybe we need another name too.... Lisa XXXX
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