The confederated tribes of the colville reservation (CTCR) peacemaker circle (PMC) will collaborate with tribal and non-tribal youth agencies, with a specific focus on partnering with the okanogan…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded $546,354 to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation on October 1, 2025, under the Tribal Youth Program (CFDA 16.731) to develop and implement a youth diversion and healing initiative addressing the overrepresentation of Native youth in the Okanogan County juvenile justice system.

The Peacemaker Circle program will develop a data system to track juvenile involvement among Native youth ages 12 to 18 residing within the external boundaries of the Colville Indian Reservation and evaluate outcomes using ancestral healing practices as an intervention. The recipient will collaborate with tribal and non-tribal youth agencies, partnering specifically with the Okanogan County Juvenile Department. The program will also seek commitment from tribal leadership to establish tribal infrastructure supporting juvenile services, which may include updating the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Juvenile Code and exploring the feasibility of a tribal juvenile detention center.

Work is performed in Nespelem, Washington. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2030. The Tribal Youth Program supports activities to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency and strengthen the juvenile justice system response for American Indian and Alaska Native youth.

The confederated tribes of the colville reservation (CTCR) peacemaker circle (PMC) will collaborate with tribal and non-tribal youth agencies, with a specific focus on partnering with the okanogan county juvenile department (OCJD). Native youth consistently represent the highest numbers of those detained or engaged with the juvenile court and probation systems for various infractions within the OCJD. To address this, PMC will develop a data system to track juvenile involvement among native youth and evaluate outcomes using ancestral healing practices as an intervention. PMC will also seek commitment from tribal leadership to establish tribal infrastructure supporting juvenile services, which may include updating the CTCR juvenile code and exploring the feasibility of a tribal juvenile detention center. The program will focus on native youth ages 12 to 18 residing within the external boundaries of the colville indian reservation who are impacted by the okanogan county juvenile court system. Conference activity description: N/a