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Honoring Nations: Theresa M. Pouley: The Tulalip Alternative Sentencing Program

Judge Theresa M. Pouley of the Tulalip Tribal Court discusses how the Tulalip Tribes reclaimed criminal jurisdiction from the State of Washington and then developed the award-winning Tulalip Alternative Sentencing Program, which she explains is a more effective and culturally appropriate approach to the administration of justice for Tulalip citizens.


"Never Give Up" - Muscogee Creek Nation Reintegration Program, Muscogee Creek Nation

Although the state of Oklahoma has one of the largest prison systems in the US, it provides released prisoners with little post-incarceration support. Many struggle to find their way on the ―outside‖ and are eventually re-incarcerated. In the early 2000s, the Muscogee Creek Nation set out to tackle this problem. The Nation’s Reintegration Program works with tribal citizens before and after they leave prison, paying attention to everything from jobs and housing to counseling and spiritual needs.

Honoring Nations 2016 Awardee: Native American Drug & Gang Initiative Task Force

The Native American Drug and Gang Initiative Task Force (Intertribal Nations of Wisconsin) is a dedicated law enforcement unit that addresses illegal drug and gang activities on tribal reservations in Wisconsin. A multi-pronged effort, the Task Force is grounded in community and tribal government cooperation to address threats through education, coordination, and law enforcement agency operations.

What challenges do leaders face today within the judicial system? | Justice Joe Williams

Listen to expert advice from Justice Joe Williams, Māori Supreme Court judge, from the Next Horizon: A Symposium on the future of Indigenous Nation Building.

HN 2007 - Ken James: The Flandreau Police Department

Former Flandreau (South Dakota) Police Chief Ken James discusses how the Flandreau Police Department works to provide culturally sensitive law enforcement to all of the citizens it serves.









Kake Circle Peacemaking

This video -- produced by the Organized Village of Kake -- depicts the restoration of traditional methods of dispute resolution the Organized Village of Kake adopted Circle Peacemaking as its tribal court in 1999. Circle Peacemaking brings together victims, wrongdoers, families, religious leaders, and social service providers in a forum that restores relationships and community harmony. With a recidivism rate of nearly zero, it is especially effective in addressing substance abuse-associated crimes.

Rae Nell Vaughn, Dan Mittan, Henderson Williams, Andrew Jones, and Hilda Faye Nickey from the Choctaw Tribal Court System present an overview of the court system's development to the Honoring Nations Board of Governors in conjunction with the 2005 Honoring Nations Awards.


All videos were provided by curated playlists on YouTube. For more videos you can visit the Honoring Nations YouTube Channel, Native Nations Institute YouTube Channel, and Native Nations Institute's Indigenous Governance Database.