[Tribal-drug-courts] question about smudging for Wellness Court

[Eric Mehnert]

Good Morning Kit-

 

At Penobscot (North Central Maine, similar climate) we begin each Wellness Court with a smudge and a non-denominational prayer.  We also often start with a reading from one of the seven Grandfather teachings.  We don’t consider a smudge, smoking and therefore don’t consider it a violation of the no smoking rules in the public courthouse.  However, we are on Tribal land and that may make a significant difference.

 

The data coming out of the BIA’s Reduction in Recidivism Initiative shows that culture and community are the number one protective factor for Tribal Members in recovery.  At Penobscot we do sweats, sweetgrass picking, drum making, dreamcatcher making, etc. with the participants.  When they commence from the program we do a drum ceremony for the participant along with a commencement meal.  If you ever want to bat around ideas, I can put you in touch with our cultural advisors.  Also, if you have any ideas, we are always looking for new means of reaching our participants.

 

It sounds great what you are trying to do.  Good luck with it all!!

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

Hon. Eric M. Mehnert

Chief Judge

Penobscot Nation Tribal Court

12 Wabanaki Way

Indian Island, Maine

207-735-7127 

 

 

 

From: Tribal-drug-courts <tribal-drug-courts-bounces at tribal-institute.org> on behalf of Kit Van Stelle <Kit.Vanstelle at wisc.edu>
Date: Friday, February 21, 2020 at 10:05 AM
To: <tribal-drug-courts at tribal-institute.org>
Subject: [Tribal-drug-courts] question about smudging for Wellness Court

 

Good Morning All,
I'm hoping to get this question out to all on the Wellness Court listserv to get your input.

I provide support to the Ashland Wisconsin Wellness & Recovery Court that serves primarily Ojibwe individuals in northern WI.  We have enhanced the long-running county drug court to create a Wellness Court hybrid by incorporating the Wellness Court 10 Key Components and traditional teachings.

A question for all of you out there....do any of you smudge as a group/team at the beginning of court hearings?  If so, how do you handle the non-smoking rules for public buildings?  We live in a climate where going outside isn't always practical.  I'm aware that some smudge with water instead.....do any of you do that?  We are trying to determine if this is feasible or if there are alternatives to help get everyone focused and in the right mindset for the hearing discussions.  We have a participant do an opening for the hearings to start in a good way, but are looking to enhance that.

Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kit


-- 
********************************
Kit R. Van Stelle
KVS Evaluation Partners
Waunakee, WI 
KVSEvaluationPartners at gmail.com
Qualifications & Experience available via www.LinkedIn.com
 
Emerita Distinguished Researcher at the
University of WI School of Medicine and Public Health
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