PEACEMAKING CIRCLES

A peace circle can hold: anger, anxiety, distrust, hope, faith, fear, love

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LET US EXPLORE THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER:

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What is a Peace Circle?

 

Where did Peace Circles come from?

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Why should I use peace circles?

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What beliefs underlie Peace Circles?

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What does a peace circle do that other processes tend not to?

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Peace Circles have been around much longer than one can imagine. We could say, since time immemorial! Peace circles are largely based on "talking circles", founded by the original tribes of long ago. Peace Circles carry with them the history of cultural traditions from all over the world. Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (aka North America), Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, to name a few.

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Circle processes are simple and organic. Tribal groups used peace circles for conflict-resolution, among other things. One could fairly say that 'the way of life' for these tribal groups was such that included regular "talking circles" in order to maintain peace and restore balance.

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Peace circles emphasize healing and learning through a collective group process.

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Today, communities are beginning to adopt and adapt restorative practices like peace circles to systems that, for centuries, have used more punitive, judiciary measures to address conflict and violence.Peace circles can be used in a myriad of settings including schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, among family and friends, and in the juvenile and criminal legal systems.

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A Peace Circle is a Restorative Justice model that, like other Restorative Justice practices, can be used to address conflict holistically and solve problems. One of the more common goals of its usage today is aimed at repairing harm done and assigning responsibility by talking through the problem.

 

Peace circles combine victim reconciliation, offender responsibility, and community healing.

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What does a Peace Circle look like?

In a Peace Circle, a minimum of 3 participants sit in a circle of chairs, ideally without tables or other obstructions between them. They take turns speaking, and with attentive listening and collaboration they determine (1) what happened and why, and (2) how it can be fixed.

 

  Discussion and resolution of the problem may be achieved in a single session, but peace circles may extend into multiple sessions until genuine consensus is reached. Resolution certainly cannot be facilitated in a quick pinch, and its expected that, only time and deep examination will aide the best outcome for all involved!

 

 We can use these circles to deal with internal conflicts, and we can also provide them as a service to other organizations, judiciary proceedings, classes or on-campus, or workplace conflicts. Many "Indian bands" have also utilized peace circles in order to face problems that arise from the governmental"elected chief system", thereby re-learning and potentially returning to their natural tribal ways. Yes, its true! The traditions and culture of these tribes were deeply impacted by the historical genocidal attacks on their tribes. The "talking circle" practices and many other tribal teachings were nearly completely lost to these groups, and it is the duty of all of us to help our fellow humans to reconcile any goodness lost to them. This brings us to a very important and appropriate use of Peace Circles:

 

Peace Circles can be used in order to form a support network for someone dealing with complex trauma!

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The principles of Peace Circles such as listening, hearing, communicating and healing lay a perfect groundwork upon which to build yourselves as a community, or build stronger family ties.

 

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  What beliefs underlie Peace Circles?

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•  Positive potential and rehabilitation.

•  Humans are interdependent.

•  We have a responsibility to help one another.

•  People are inherently good even if they make bad choices.

•  Punishment disrupts victims.

 

 

What does a peace circle do that other processes tend not to?

•  Transforms relationships

•  Gives everyone a voice

•  Resolves conflict in a non-punitive, rehabilitative way

•  Inspires taking responsibility to repair harm done

•  Grows and transforms relationships (inter-personally and in communities)

•  Builds consensus and empathy

•  Creates opportunity for individual growth

•  Allows leaders to emerge naturally 3

•  Develops problem-solving skills

•  Explores issues holistically, in context, and at-depth

•  Offers a safe space of equitable power sharing and mutual respect

•  Goes beyond the mundane and the ordinary

 

 

Why should I use peace circles?

•  Peace circles give you the full picture by hearing every side of the story.

•  Peace circles are holistic and engage multiple aspects of human life.

• They use logic to resolve problems and require pathos or human emotion, connection, empathy, and understanding.

 

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