THE CIRCLE          

Peace circles have been used by cultures around the world since ancient times. From the Maori of New Zealand to Canadian aboriginal peoples, the Circle process has been used to build community, make decisions, and heal wrong-doing. It is used in Toronto as an alternative to court for young offenders. It is used in schools to address bullying. It was used to address gang violence in Boston more than two decades ago.

The Circle structure is made up of universal values that are agreed on by the participants. Trained Circle facilitators uphold the integrity and values of the Circle.

The Circle is a confidential process: what is said in the Circle stays in the Circle. It is voluntary: people choose to come to the Circle meetings.

The Circle begins and ends with a ceremony or ritual. The rituals are inclusive and respect all of the differences in the group.

The opening and closing rituals mark the special time and space of the Circle process.

The importance of giving full attention to the speaker is symbolized by the use of a talking piece or talking stick. People pass the talking piece around the Circle. The person holding the talking piece speaks, without interruption. Everybody else's job is to listen. Participants can also choose to pass: their silence is respected.

The power and wisdom of the Circle comes from the group itself. The Circle makes decisions by consensus. The Circle facilitator upholds the principle that every person in the Circle is valued, supported and safe.

Recent Articles

One Year Later, Conflict Resolution Today, Summer/Fall 2007

The power of the circle growing wider, Law Times, April 16, 2007

Circle Process, ADR Institute of Canada, January 2007

The building that fought back, Globe and Mail, January 7, 2006

Relevant Clients and Accomplishments:

• Facilitated a Circle Process for a year for staff and tenants of a supportive housing project
• Facilitated Circles for extended families dealing with estate and relationship issues
• Facilitated Circles for parents who are separating, dealing with parenting issues
• An Introduction to Circle Process, for the Restorative Justice Section and the Family Section at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute, 2007
• Circles of Concern, Keynote Address and Workshop at the National Conference of Family Services Canada, 2006
• Conflict Resolution in the Schools, a 40 hour course for teachers and administrators offered through York U
• Peer Mediation, (with Dr. Landau) a 4-day training for 30 students and 5 teachers at a Toronto high school
• Kids and Conflict 101, (with Ruth Rakoff) a 90-minute training for parents Circles in Schools, a half-day introduction for teachers
• Circles in Schools, a half-day training for teachers
• Teachers are People too, a presentation at the OISE Safe Schools for All Conference, 2005
• Artful Mediation, (Dr. Roberta Morris), a creative and comprehensive mediation program for students, teachers and staff which addresses best practices and mediation skills across the curriculum