Come together for a discussion about the promise and practice of restorative justice for communities. While restorative justice, as a philosophy and practice, is growing in popularity over the last few years, it is in fact a way of approaching accountability that has roots going back hundreds of years across many cultures. Three panelists will offer their own perspectives and histories with restorative justice, and there will be ample time for questions and discussions. The three panelists are:
-Strong Oak Lefebvre, the Founder and first Executive Director of the Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle Intertribal Coalition (VBCIC). She is American Indian of Maliseet and Mi’kmaq descent and lives in Worthington, MA. Strong Oak is co-author of the “Walking in Balance with All Our Relations” teaching curriculum and gives national presentations on curriculum that is designed to decolonize indigenous peoples and reclaim historical ways of being in the community.
-Janet Connors is a long time community and social justice activist in Boston. She brings over 40 years experience working with youth and families in community based organizations including her important work as a Survivor Support Coordinator at the Louis Brown Peace Institute. A survivor herself, Janet lost her son, Joel, to homicide. Her own personal journey brought about a change in policy practice to Massachusetts, offering victims the option of participating in Victim-Offender Dialogue. She has met in restorative dialogue with two of the young men who killed her son, and their mothers. Janet brings restorative justice practices to schools as alternatives to suspension and as a means to build positive relationships and a strong community by engaging in meaningful dialogue through the circle process.
Dinner Dialogue in Driscoll Lounge, 5:30 – 7 pm.
Claiming Williams events are intended for the campus community. See the CW website for a full schedule of the day’s events.
Megamenu Social