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November 2024
Ideas and Suggestions for Restorative Practitioners
November is a month to help remind us to appreciate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people as we recognize Native American Heritage Month. Learn more about Indigenous cultures, Minnesota's 11 Tribal Nations, and events that are happening across Minnesota during Native American Heritage Month and beyond.
Every year, on the third week of November, it is Restorative Justice Week. (#RJWeek). It began in 1975 in England as "Prisoner's Sunday," a day to remember incarcerated people. Today, it is an opportunity to reflect on the developments and achievements of restorative justice and contribute to building more peaceful, understanding communities. This year's theme is "The promise of restorative justice in a polarising world." Read more in the 2024 Restorative Justice Week Magazine.
Deepen Your Practice
First Steps: A Restorative Practices Overview Workshop
Register for First Steps: An RP Overview. In this free introductory session, explore the foundational principles of restorative philosophy, including what restorative practices are and what they are not. Through experiential learning, using circle, dyads and written reflection, participants can explore how their personal restorative impulses show up in the world. Continuing education units will be provided after the completion of the workshop.
- Online, Thursday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Newly added session
- In-Person, Wednesday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- In-Person, Thursday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All in-person workshops will be held at the Minnesota Department of Education in the lower-level conference area. More information will be sent after registration.
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Retrieve Your Learnings
As educators, part of our role is to foster safe and supportive school environments where students feel safe, connected, and respected. You Are Welcome: Creating Safe & Supportive Schools is a 26-minute documentary spotlighting Akron Public Schools in Ohio and how they foster safe and supportive school environments, along with research and the importance of culturally responsive teaching practices. You will hear from school leaders, educators, and students. A Documentary Viewing Guide is provided with additional information.
Build Your Knowledge
Circle for Social Justice
Today we reflect with a prophecy made by Hopi Elders in June 2000. Twenty-four years later, we find ourselves in a time where "the river is flowing very fast and there are those who will be afraid. Know the river has its destination." I offer the prophecy below with some prompts.
Introduction: Read the prophecy.
We Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For
You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered…
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for your leader.
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word 'struggle' from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for."
Round 1: What resonates with you?
Round 2: What have you been waiting for?
Round 3: What do you need to continue the work?
Closing: The opportunity to change meaningfully is happening all around us. Will we be the ones we are waiting for?
Getting Acquainted with Restorative Practitioner: Jamie Williams
Jamie Williams has been an RP Practitioner and Circle Keeper since 1999. She built her RP foundation on decades of experience working with at-risk youth in shelters and community centers, and dedicated her career to Circle work after the incident at Columbine High School in April of 1999.
In 2001, she finished her self-designed master’s degree in Restorative Justice/Practices/Circles at St Mary’s and co-founded The Restorative Way with her business partners Oscar Reed and Chuck Robertson Sr. The next several years were spent providing services in the Twin Cities, out State MN and around the country, with a strong focus on children, educators, and schools. Hearing many times from students ”the Circle gives me hope” keeps her inspired. She is humbled to work with so many dedicated educators and proud to see their accomplishments after participating in their Circle Training. Chuck and Oscar were the best work partners anyone could have and she dearly misses working with them. Chuck has passed, and Oscar still provides her with great wisdom and insight.
In 2017, she was certified in spiritual development in Wisdom Way’s “Transforming Soul and Society” program. From this experience, she started Bear Witness Listening to help guide individuals through personal development and to provide consulting and mentoring for people working in the RP community. This work can be intense and she provides a listening ear, safe space, presence, mentoring in intuition enhancement and Circle Keeping, so practitioners may explore Spiritual Development and/or, their Circle Practice.
In 2018, she was asked to share an EdTalk on Restorative Practices. It may be viewed on YouTube: EDTalks: Restorative Practices and Peacemaking Circles in Schools: A Way of Being (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXoclVOEkMw&t=87s).
You may contact Jamie Williams for circle training, circle work, mentoring, or personal development at jamiewilliams@sprynet.com.
The photo shows Oscar Reed and Jamie Williams.
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Resources
Problem-Solving Toolkit From the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution
The Minnesota Department of Administration in the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution created a website, Helping You Navigate a Clearer Path Through Conflict. On the website, they offer a Problem-Solving Toolkit with Restorative Practices as a resource. Explore their website to find resources, training and capacity-building, and more.
A Guide for Resources and Services From Community Affairs
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is a diverse, complex department of state government that includes 10 divisions directly serving the public, and four support divisions, all focused on building a safer Minnesota. Community Affairs recently created a Guide for Resources and Services. Listed on that guide is the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The OJP works to provide equitable access to inclusive resources that promote a safe and just Minnesota. Read more on Public Safety's Community Affairs website.
Update to 2025 Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety through the Office of Justice Programs is requesting proposals. The purpose of this request for proposals is to fund restorative practices initiatives through the Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program. This program is intended to promote initiatives statewide that are creating new restorative practice programs or have current programs in place.
Funding:
Up to $8,000,000 is available for grants to establish and support restorative practices initiatives. Applicants may propose funding up to $500,000. Up to 15% of an applicant's budget may be requested for restitution grants.
Project Dates:
The grant period for the awarded grants will be approximately 18 months, beginning on or around January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
To Apply:
All applications must be submitted via e-grants, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) online grants management system.
UPDATED Application Deadline: December 6, 2024, 4 p.m.
See the full Request for Proposals for more details.
For more information, contact Kendall Hughes (kendall.hughes@state.mn.us), Office of Restorative Practices Director.
MDE Restorative Practices Trainings
February 24-26, 2025
Save the date for the next Restorative Practices trainings that will be held in person at the Minnesota Department of Education. More details to come!
June 23-26, 2025
Save the date for the summer Restorative Practices trainings that will be held in person in the Metro area.
Further Information
For further information about Restorative Practices, visit MDE's RP webpage or contact Grace Yang, 651-582-8777, Minnesota Department of Education.
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