Healing Communities and Children of Domestic Violence

Gnoozhekaaning, “Place of the Pike,” in Brimley, Michigan. The Bay Mills Indian Community will host a VAWA and ICWA Training here, August 1-2, 2019. Photo by Bay Mills Indian Community General Counsel Whitney Gravelle.

Published July 22, 2019

GNOOZHEKAANING “PLACE OF THE PIKE” – BRIMLEY, Mich. — Domestic violence affects entire families and communities, impacting youth and adults alike. A culturally appropriate, child-centered approach helps youth to recover from instances of trauma.

The Anishinaabeg concept, noojimo’iwewin, means healing others, healing of the heart and mind as well as illness. When applied to the law, noojimo’iwewin can guide community advocates in ensuring the safety of future generations. Federal laws like the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) address tribal safety concerns. However, tribal communities heal through appropriate, community and culturally-based justice and advocacy.

At Noojimo’iwewin: A VAWA and ICWA Training, August 1-2, 2019, attendees will learn from the modern, cultural, and traditional restorative justice system of Gnoozhekaaning Bay Mills Indian Community. Attorneys, advocates, judges, social workers, and whomever else may benefit from this training are encouraged to register. Continuing Legal Education credits are pending. Bringing advocates and experts together, this conference will enhance community-based individualized services across Indian Country.

“This event is the first of its kind for us to host here at home in Bay Mills,” says Whitney Gravelle, General Counsel and former Chief Judge for Bay Mills Indian Community. “It is a chance to showcase our community, and to serve as a building block for Tribes throughout Indian Country in identifying the necessary steps needed so that we can make our communities a safe and warm place for all of our families.” The Bay Mills Tribal Court pursued funding for this event from the Office of Justice Services (OJS) Tribal Justice Support. The initiative seeks to build strong, safe communities that tie together the seven anishinaabe teachings – respect, love, truth, wisdom, humility, bravery, and honesty.

The first annual training will focus on effective approaches to legal cases involving child welfare, domestic violence, or both. Featured topics include: supporting healthy brain development in young children, domestic violence advocacy for all individuals, including violence against men, boys, and Two-Spirit individuals, evaluating services for clients, and more. The ICWA panel will also immerse participants in a model-problem involving the application of ICWA to domestic violence cases.  For a full list of topics and speakers, please view the website and agenda.

This training is sponsored by the OJS Tribal Justice Support and proudly hosted by the Bay Mills Indian Community in partnership with The Whitener Group. Click here to register or learn more. If you have any questions, please contact training organizer Neoshia Roemer at neoshia@whitenergroup.biz.