Family Healing to Wellness Court
Noojimo’wigamig Inaawanidiwag incorporates Band culture
“Over the past 15 years of work in the Mille Lacs Band courts, I have witnessed addiction and mental health issues intensify in our community,“ said Gilda Burr, Mille Lacs Band Court Administrator. “Many of these issues triggered child protection matters, further adding to the splintering of families. The Family Healing to Wellness Court is a model that can address families’ needs and bring healing to our community,“
On April 5, the Mille Lacs Band Judicial Branch hosted a three-branch meeting and presented to the Chief Executive and Band Assembly the concept of Noojimo’wigamig Inaawanidi- wag (Healing Journey), the Mille Lacs Band Family Healing to Wellness Court program. The Wellness Court will be a 12-to- 18-month four-phase program for parents and guardians of Band children who are the subject of a child protection matter in the Mille Lacs Band District Court and are having difficulty staying substance-free. Addiction will be viewed by the Well- ness Court as a health condition, something to be treated — not punished. Services and consistent supportive supervision will be provided to the participants to help them achieve sobriety and quicker reunification with their children.
“The Mille Lacs Band has provided a rich array of supportive services for struggling families, but the departments have not had a structure to bring them together to work collectively,“ said Court Attorney Jill Tompkins, who has brought her experience with the successful Penobscot Nation Healing to Well- ness Court to help develop the Band’s program.
The lack of service coordination has contributed to Band children staying in foster care longer due to delays in family reunification. Under the new program, a multi-department team, including representatives from Family Services, Sub- stance Use Disorder Services, Office of the Solicitor General, Band Member Legal Aid, Housing Department, Aanjibimaadizing, Ge-Niigaanizijig, and the Wellness Court Judge, will meet regularly to ensure that participants are receiving effective and timely assistance to meet their goals. A dedicated Wellness Court case manager will check in frequently with participants to assist them in accessing substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing, education, employment, and other needed services.
Noojimo’wigamig Inaawanidiwag is different from a state drug court because it embraces and incorporates Band culture. The four phases are named after the Ojibwe sacred medicines of Tobacco (Phase 1 — New Beginnings), Cedar (Phase 2 — Personal Responsibility), Sage (Phase 3 — Cooperation and Accountability), and Sweetgrass (Phase 4 — Completion and Sharing). A Band Elder will be a member of the team providing cultural guidance to the program. In addition to healing the parent’s addiction, the program will provide an opportunity for the parent to positively re-engage in the Band’s community and cultural life. Participation in recovery groups, such as Sober Squad, will help the parent to develop a healthy circle of sober supports.
Initially, the enactment of a District Court Rule will establish the program, while Band legislation is being developed simultaneously. To be eligible for the Wellness Court, the par- ent or child’s custodian must be the parent of a child who is a Band member or eligible for membership, has a pending Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) case, has a substance use disorder diagnosis, and is willing and able to comply with the program’s conditions, which includes frequent, random drug testing.
“This has been a long time coming,“ said Gilda. “The Band needs this program with collaboration of all the agencies sitting in a circle helping families heal. I’m excited to help build the Wellness Court, but moreover to put it in action.“
Although the Judicial Branch has been working on the Wellness Court initiative for several years, a recent five-year U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice System grant has made it possible for the program to launch. Information about the program and application forms will be posted on the Court’s website located at millelacsband.com.
