Workshop Description: Problem-solving justice is an approach to justice that seeks to do more than just process cases. It deals with underlying problems that bring people to court by using alternative responses such as treatment and restorative justice practices. Community courts are neighborhood-focused courts that attempt to harness the power of the justice system to address local problems. Most, if not all, Native American communities have practiced these principles for generations in resolving their disputes. The core principles of community courts are community engagement, collaboration, better information sharing and individualized justice, accountability, and outcomes. In taking these principles further, community courts can learn from traditional tribal justice practices, such as integrating cultural practices into the justice system such as Peacemaking, valuing community and elder engagement, and emphasizing healing and wholeness instead of selecting winners and losers. By focusing on community court principles and utilizing the strength of tribal communities, tribal courts can implement meaningful, culturally relevant community courts in their communities. The examples of Aneth Community Court on the Navajo Nation and Colorado River Indian Tribes Community Court near Parker, Arizona will illustrate the planning and implementation process, challenges associated with the development process, and success stories to highlight that the community court model is reflective of tribal justice values.

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