This will be the last SOJAC (Social Justice) of the school year.   

We will screen a 90-minute documentary (suitable for teens and mature preteens as well as adults) called "Tribal Justice" (Anne Makepeace, dir.), which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2017.  It follows two women judges, both Native Americans, who preside over tribal courts, and use tribal principles and practices in hearing cases as they seek to reduce incarceration, promote public safety, and foster a better future for tribal youth.  The film also follows the stories of three young men (actually two young men, and a little boy and his mom) who appear before these judges.  

Following the film, we will hear from a panel of New York-based experts who are involved in efforts to use restorative justice principles locally in criminal justice and beyond.  Here are abbreviated bios of our four panel members:

Rev. Ruben S. Austria is the Founder and Executive Director of Community Connections for Youth, a Bronx-based non-profit that seeks to develop effective community-driven alternatives to incarceration, including by involving faith-based organizations.  Among other honors, In 2007, he was awarded a Soros Justice Fellowship.  He is a vigorous advocate for youth of color in the criminal justice system and in 2005 was invited to the White House in honor of his work with young people.  He earned both his B.A. and M.A. from Cornell.

Sethu L. Nair serves as a Specialist at OATH's Center for Creative Conflict Resolution. Sethu has worked across a range of conflicts, including family and small business disputes, non-profit staff and board challenges, workplace conflict, and community discord.  She has been a peacemaker at the Red Hook Community Justice Court and is a member of Hidden Water NYC, which addresses the impact of child sexual abuse in families. Prior to joining the Center, Sethu worked for human rights organizations in New York and India. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase and the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

Carol Fisler is the director of Mental Health Court and Alternative-to-Detention Programs at the Center for Court Innovation.  She was involved in planning and implementing the Brooklyn Mental Health Court, the first specialized court for offenders with mental illness in New York, as well as a juvenile justice/mental health initiative for young people with mental health disorders charged with delinquency.  She oversees youth development and alternative-to-detention programs in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.  

Anne Marie McFaydyen, Peace Institute, Restorative Justice Manager, Schools and Community Conferencing. Anne Marie has been working in the conflict arena as a mediator, conflict coach, community conference facilitator and trainer for the past ten years. She works collaboratively with schools and within communities and organizations where she designs conflict management programs and supports the implementation of restorative practices. 

The program will run from 6:30 pm to 9:15 pm.  Salads, fruits, veggies, and desserts will be served, along with wine, coffee, and soda.  Please put this important event on your calendar -- and please register below so we'll be sure to have enough food and drink to go around.