Hopi mediation group formed to resolve conflicts

By Stan Bindell
For The Independent

POLACCA, Ariz. — A mediation group has formed on the Hopi Reservation that could help people solve conflicts without expensive litigation. The mediation group is the first of its type on a reservation and could end up being a role model for other reservations.

The mediation group is called Nakwatsvewat, which is the Hopi word describing the process of resolving disputes in a friendly way. Pat Sekaquaptewa, executive director of Nakwatsvewat, said the group is funded by a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Administration for Native Americans which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Sekaquaptewa said the grant was the brainchild of her late uncle Emory Sekaquaptewa, who served as the chief justice for the Hopi Appellate Court.

“He saw the need for the mediation program so that people would not spend time and money fighting about land and family issues that could be resolved,” she said.

Sekaquaptewa said Emory wanted to use the western system of mediation but tailor it to fit Hopi needs and traditions.

“We’re designing the training and curriculum to Hopi-ize it,” she said.

Justin Richland, another pro tem judge for the Hopi Appellate Court and a professor of law and culture at UCLA, also helped get this mediation program off the ground through the Hopi courts. The Hopi Tribal Court has had an increase in property and family cases that Sekaquaptewa believes can be resolved by mediation. The first mediation is under way with six or seven waiting in the wings. Sekaquaptewa, who is also a pro tem judge in California, is performing the initial mediations, but nine people working on the Hopi Reservation have been given initial trainings on mediating.

Those nine are Muriel Scott, Gloria Lomayesva, Jerry Sekayumptewa, George Mase, Brenda Patterson, Brent Honahnie, Lorna and Radford Quamahongnewa and Anita Poleahla. The nine completed a 40-hour mediation training program.

Sekaquaptewa said Nakwatsvewat has the larger mission to raise money and awareness nationally about using mediation for conflict resolution.

“But it’s starting at Hopi because of the leadership and vision at Hopi,” she said.

Donna Humetewa, project manager of Nakwatsvewat, said the program is needed at Hopi because there are many civil cases that are not getting resolved.

Muriel Scott, a member of the Nakwatsvewat policy board and a tribal advocate, said the group is working on scheduling a strategic planning meeting to see how they can expand the program.

“Our job is to get information out to the public so problems can be resolved without spending money in court,” she said. “This will be a new and great program if people buy into it. I prefer to see mediation rather than court battles. It would involve more civility rather than people being mad forever.”

Sekaquaptewa was a full-time lecturer in law at UCLA and director of UCLA’s Native Nations Law and Policy Center for six years before leaving to become executive director of Nakwatsvewat.

Information: Humetewa (928) 737-9275 or donna@nakwatsvewat.org.