Committee utilizing traditional ways to address juvenile offender issues

Julie Severn

2/18/2003 12:00:00 AM

A recently-developed committee is striving to implement diversionary tactics to address Tribal juvenile delinquency issues on the Isabella Reservation.

The Mishoomis Committee's inception is a direct result of a $297,303 grant awarded to Ngodewaangiziwin, "Helping Our Families" by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Ngodewaangiziwin Resource Specialist Sarah Pigeon is the Mishoomis project coordinator and is working with committee members David Sowmick, Chip Neyome, Elizabeth Ballew and Charmaine Benz to establish policies and procedures.

"This is a very unique and special program," said Pigeon. "Mainstream programs do not work in Indian Country. We are designing our own social programs because we know what's best for our community."

Once program guidelines are in place, a Mishoomis Council consisting of Tribal Elders will be developed to serve as a mediator and work with juvenile offenders, victims, and their families, plus the community as a whole.

"I personally don't believe it's appropriate to come into a community and dictate how to solve their problems," said Pigeon. "That's why this program is being tailored to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe based on data and statistics from ongoing identification of risk factors pertaining to Native children delinquency.

"Too often people are quick to offer a solution, without listening. That's why we're asking grandparents, aunties, uncles and, of course, the children for their input. We're listening to what the community needs."

Benz echoed the importance of ensuring community involvement to provide an opportunity for a healthy Tribal Nation.

Because of a wide variance in statistical information from the U.S. census regarding the Native American population, Pigeon has been collecting reality-based, community specific information for the past four years.

"We have been working closely with the Tribal Court to revamp the juvenile code and children's code," she explained. "Several interviews with parents, Tribal members, teachers and various department officials have been conducted to get a better understanding of community needs."

Funds allocated through the grant are to be disbursed over a three-year period. This will allow the development of a Tribal juvenile code, create a position to address educational issues including promoting higher education, and create a juvenile justice diversionary tactic under the philosophy of "balanced and restorative" justice, according to Pigeon.

In order for a juvenile offender to appear before the Mishoomis Council, they must seek a referral from the prosecutor. The offender then has the choice to accept or decline to participate.

"The Mishoomis Council will allow us to address a situation and find out why the delinquent behavior is going on before the juvenile is referred to court," explained Sowmick. "We would investigate how both the victim and the offender feels about the situation and try to find a course of action that everyone agrees on without involving the court system."

Sowmick said if all parties agree on restitution, which could include a variety of solutions from community service to cleaning defaced property, the youth could avoid jail time and having the incident on their record. Another unique aspect of the system is the victim has a voice in determining appropriate punishment, Sowmick added.

Spiritual needs of each individual would also be met as they would be given a chance to be diverted into a Healing Circle and offered help to integrate back into the Native community, he also stated.

Pigeon added the program will have a strong cultural base and implement peace-keeping techniques from the Ojibwe culture.

"The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs recognize the importance of a strong cultural foundation," said Pigeon. "In addition they offer avenues of continuing support for complete development of Tribal youth programs."

She added that Ngodewaangiziwin has more prevention cases now than protective service cases.

"We're dedicated to prevention before intervention. If we're successful in doing this job, that's what should happen," she said.

Sowmick and Neyome agreed.

"Kids do things without thinking. They should grow and learn from mistakes, not pay for them their entire life," Sowmick explained. "By intervening we hope to offer guidance in the right direction when youth are faced with possible life-altering decisions."

Sowmick believes the process provides the community a chance to better a situation and ultimately improve the quality of life within the Tribe. He added the Grand Traverse Band and some Navaho Tribes practice similar cultural methods.

"Our goal is to raise awareness about the youth and the issues they face, so the community will take a more active role in finding positive solutions," Neyome said. "Addressing problems in this manner should work well with the community and help eliminate reoccuring delinquent behaviors."