Crating an Oyate Court in Brown County is a work in progress, but the project is moving forward.
Oyate Court is a culturally appropriate diversion program for Native American young adults. Last year, Brown County applied for a $20,000 grant to get the program started.
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at the courthouse annex, county commissioners agreed to a facility use agreement with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for Oyate Court sessions. With the contract, the church will be paid $500 a month.
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Kelsi Vinger, grant coordinator for the Brown County State’s Attorney’s Office, briefly visited with commissioners about the program. The office is now working with Northern State University on the local Oyate Court, she said.
Previously, the office was working with a group in Rapid City. In that diversion program, some state criminal cases are given to Lakota elders who come up with a solution. The focus is more on healing and native culture and values than punishment.
That program is a partnership between the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office and tribes.
Working with Northern means the Brown County Oyate Court will have more local ties, Vinger said.
In other action during a meeting with few agenda items, commissioners also approved matters of routine business and met in executive session to discuss personnel issues.