The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians has received a federal implementation grant to operate an Ojibwe Culture Based Mediation Court on the Red Lake Reservation. The mediation court grant is a two year project.
The primary goal of the grant is to reduce the recurrence rate of habitual offenders coming through the criminal court and to assist with matters referred from civil court as well. The mediation court will also accept voluntary referrals from concerned reservation community members that wish to use the mediation process to help them resolve any issues they may have.
The Ojibwe Culture Based Mediation Court will strive to peacefully resolve conflicts and issues that have divided family, friends, neighbors and the communities on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. The mediation court will utilize traditional aspects of resolving conflicts and issues. This will promote healing, not only for the affected parties, but the entire family and the Red Lake community.
Rodney Prentice Jr. is the project coordinator and serves as the chief mediator in all the mediation cases being heard. Mr. Prentice has prior experience in corrections, probation and prosecution in the Red Lake criminal justice system.
The Mediation staff currently has 13 mediators contracted through the mediation court and the Red Lake band. The mediators are Larry Stillday, Violet Stillday, Victoria Fineday, James Cloud Jr., Doreen Wells, Kevin Spears, Earline May, Robyn Isham, Leland Lussier Jr., Penny King, Adele Zephier, Michael Barrett and Larry Vanwert.
The mediators chosen to serve have a wealth of experience, knowledge and very genuine concern about the Red Lake community. Mr. Prentice feels that they will make a significant impact in the implementation of the mediation court and the lives of all persons they will be working with while serving as mediators.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rodney Prentice Jr.
Project Coordinator/Chief Mediator
P.O. Box 572
Red Lake, MN 56671
218-679-3303 Ext. 116
Email: rprentice_1975@hotmail.com |
