An assessment of Humboldt mediation services for tribal cultural compatibility

Humboldt Mediation Services (HMS) has a desire to be culturally respectful to all of the diverse clients it serves in Humboldt County. As there are eight different Federally Recognized Indigenous tribes in Humboldt County, in order to build relationships with respect and understanding, it is of great importance to learn about the different cultures that are thriving in this area. This project provides information on some traditional Native mediation practices, as well as some cultural similarities and differences between those and the HMS model. For this project, seven semi-formal face-to-face and/or written interviews were conducted with five tribal members from the Hoopa, Karuk, and Yurok Tribes, and 2 non-native people with about ten years of local tribal mediation/law experience. Information was gathered on local traditional conflict resolution practices, and how non-native mediators could best serve Indigenous people from different tribes with cultural respect when they are called upon to mediate conflicts. Suggestions emerging from results included: for non-natives to learn about and understand that Tribes are Sovereign Nations with unique different cultures, that historical trauma and racism continue to have an impact, and that many tribal people are guided by their tribal values.