# data[].attributes.headline
Restorative Justice Reflection (scroll down) Week 8

# data[].attributes.subject
Restorative Justice Reflection (scroll down) Week 8

# data[].attributes.body
Our PowerPoint from this week's lecture solidified some thoughts I have been having regarding the historical context of Restorative Justice rooted in Hebrew faith and culture. Many people refer to the Retributive Justice System as "Traditional", when in fact, it is "contemporary" to this land. Retributive Justice is an extension of the Colonial State on this land, and the true "Traditional" form of justice comes from Indigenous Peoples and is focused on Community and Healing, which are core principles of Restorative Justice. Even "Circle Processes" are lifted from Indigenous culture, especially when using a "talking stick". It is important for me as a White Settler to keep this in mind when committing to Truth and Reconciliation in my practices.

Further, to answer the question posed "How do we walk with ourselves, the victim, and the community?" is complex and unique to each individual. For me, I found the "Who Am I?" web exercise important. I can link parts of my identity, my goals, and my social location to my relationship to power. I carry a great deal of privilege, and as a result, I find it of the utmost importance to practice empathy. This is how we walk in other's shoes. We listen to their experiences without immediately thinking of our own, we show compassion to people who come from a different experience than us, and we try to use our privileges responsibly if we have more than others. In the context of Restorative Justice, I think that these approaches are valuable in terms of showing genuine support and commitment to healing communities that are outside of our own.

# data[].attributes.body
The importance of Storytelling

# data[].attributes.body
Talking Circle

# data[].attributes.body
Empathy

# data[].attributes.headline
Co-Mediation Reflection (scroll down) Week 11

# data[].attributes.subject
Co-Mediation Reflection (scroll down) Week 11

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoyed the practice of Co-Mediation, though I found it difficult to balance my own needs to ask questions and strategically facilitate the conversation, while making space for my partner. I often struggle with working with others during Mediation as I have crafted my own art, and am often guided by my own intuition which is a deeply personal and internal process for me. I wish to continue to gain more experience with Co-Mediation as I truly see the value of having more then one set of ears and eyes present. I feel that to have the chance to represent more than one identity as Mediators in the same session is something to make space for as well. For example, on client may connect more with a Mediator of a similar community, and increasing the number of Mediators can make this more of a possibility.
I appreciated Audrey's involvement in the classroom as she has built a positive reputation for herself as a principled and experienced Community Mediator. There is a Community Mediation Services which I hope to become a part of here in Peterborough, and having Audrey as a contact and someone to connect with is an incredible opportunity.

# data[].attributes.body
While this picture may not have an immediate connection to my reflection, the words within this graphic remind me of how to share space during a mediation session with a Co-Mediator.

# data[].attributes.headline
Communication Styles Reflection (scroll down) Week 12

# data[].attributes.subject
Communication Styles Reflection (scroll down) Week 12

# data[].attributes.body
Communication styles are vastly different from person to person, and from culture to culture. Differing styles are often the cause of conflict behaviour, as one may make inferences from a conversation, or even from someone's non-verbal communication cues. It is vitally important to examine our own communication style as Mediators to ensure that we are being as direct as possible, so there is no room for guessing what we are trying to say or ask. Though we are all human, this is a quality I strive for in my professional and personal life.
When Mediating with people from another culture, another generation, or even someone with a different cognitive capacity, it is crucial to show a willingness to understand where they are coming from and what their intended messages are, even if it is not the message that has been delivered.
Throughout my life I have grown to be a strong communicator, but especially in this program! Learning about verbal, para-verbal, and non-verbal communication and being able to identify those moments and their impacts is so important to our craft.

# data[].attributes.body
Communication

# data[].attributes.body
Communication Process

# data[].attributes.headline
Jessica Tallman Reflection (scroll down) Week 9

# data[].attributes.subject
Jessica Tallman Reflection (scroll down) Week 9

# data[].attributes.body
We had the honour of viewing a presentation delivered to us from Jessica Tallman on cultural difference and conflict resolution. Jessica spoke to us about her research on Collectivism and Individualism in society, and how each of those structures have their own relationship to how people resolve conflict.
I certainly feel that we live in an Individualistic Cultural Structure at the Macro level, though in some instances we operate in Collectivistic Structures at the Micro level. Noe-liberal political rhetoric which is one of the pillars of Colonialism is inherently Individualistic- each man for himself. This structure proposes that each person is responsible for either their own success or demise, despite their given circumstances. I find this to be particularly harmful, as it supposed that there is no such thing as power and privilege, and that each person lives in a vacuum. I like to think of Community Mediation as an antidote for Individualism. It recognizes that we all have an impact on one another, and we all have the possibility of lifting one another up and out of conflict and crises.