The Yurok Tribe of California is seeing success with its wellness court.

The tribe has an agreement with two counties to divert certain non-violent offenders to the court. There, they can get sober, find jobs and reconnect with their families and the community.

“She really wants for you to become whole again,” participant Lauren Alvarado told The Los Angeles Times, referring to Chief Judge Abby Abinanti. “She wants to hear what’s in your heart.”

In related news, the tribe announced a pilot program with Concord Law School to encourage members to enter the legal field. The number of American Indian lawyers has been declining in recent years, according to a press release.

“It is our hope to create a core of professional Yurok attorneys who will form the foundation of our nation’s legal system,” Judge Abinanti said in the press release. “We are extremely grateful that such a well-respected institution heard our call for assistance in building the capacity of the tribal court and the tribe as a whole.”

Get the Story:
Yurok tribe's wellness court heals with tradition (The Los Angeles Times 3/5)
Press Release: Concord Law School and Yurok Tribe Announce Pilot Program Aimed at Increasing Tribal Member Attorneys (Yurok Tribe / Concord Law School 3/6)