MT: Governor Suggests Changes to Address Native Issues in Criminal Justice System
October 16, 2005 - 5:05pm
Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer sent Department of Corrections personnel to Canada to meet with representatives of the Blackfoot Nation. In Canada, the Blackfoot Nation has created a system that sends some people to healing circles composed of tribal elders rather than to the Canadian court system.
Healing circles don’t handle cases that could involve more than two years in prison. Through the healing circles, people may be assigned community service. The crime victim must agree to have the case brought before the healing circle, and the person facing the healing circle must admit guilt. Additionally, when Native people do end up in court, there are Native court workers to help them navigate the system (separate from attorneys).
Governor Schweitzer has said Montana needs "a system that is more culturally appropriate for corrections in Indian Country." This may also include culturally appropriate pre-release centers located on reservations.
This news brief is based on articles from the Billings Gazette and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?
display=rednews/2005/09/23/build/state/45-gov.inc
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/
articles/2005/09/22/news/02indiancourt.txt
If these links are broken, you may have to search their archives.
