Presented as part of The Gifford Foundation “What If…” Film Series
In Partnership with the Near Westside Peacemaking Project, a program of The Center for Court Innovation

We will screen the short films  What Does Reintegration Mean to You? The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program and A Day at Puyallup GREAT Camp by Leah Russell, Senior Associate with the Center for Court Innovation.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program provides intensive case management and reentry services to tribal members returning to the community from incarceration. The program provides financial assistance for basic needs such as housing, clothing, and groceries, and offers long-term support through educational, vocational, and legal services.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians created the GREAT Program to intervene with gang-involved youth, create a safer school climate, and provide pro-social gang prevention activities to community youth. In addition to the in-class curriculum, the program provides camp opportunities for youth to participate in throughout the year. The video follows youth, teachers, officers, staff and elders through their summer camp experience, where they share stories on how the program has impacted their lives.

Building on a traditional Native American approach to justice, the Near Westside Peacemaking Project focuses on healing and community restoration rather than punishment.

The free community event will include a discussion the filmmaker Leah Russell, Sarah Reckess, Director of the Syracuse Office of the Center for Court Innovation and  Community Peacemakers such as Peacemaking Associate, Charles Rivers from PEACE Inc.’s Southside Family Resource Center.