id: hozho-ji-peacemaking
title: Hozho Ji Peacemaking
description: >-
  A Diné (Navajo) justice practice in which a peacemaker convenes those in
  conflict to restore hozho — harmony, balance, and right relationship —
  through guided dialogue. Rooted in Diné traditional law and recognised
  within the Navajo Nation court system.
source: Navajo Nation Peacemaking Program
source_url: https://www.navajopeacemaking.org/
tags: [navajo, dine, peacemaking, restorative, indigenous]
forked_from: null
image: null
steps:
  - headline: Convene with the peacemaker
    description: >-
      A recognised peacemaker (naat'aanii) convenes the parties and affected
      relatives in a circle. The peacemaker opens with prayer and explains
      that the goal is hozho, not victory.
  - headline: Each party speaks
    description: >-
      Each party tells their experience of the conflict and its impact,
      listened to without interruption. Relatives may also speak to the
      context.
  - headline: Identify the harm to hozho
    description: >-
      The peacemaker guides the group to name how harmony has been broken —
      in relationship, in community, in the individual's balance.
  - headline: Plan restoration
    description: >-
      Together the group agrees on what is needed to restore hozho —
      apology, restitution, changed behaviour, ceremony, or counselling.
  - headline: Follow up
    description: >-
      A follow-up is scheduled to confirm the plan has been carried out and
      hozho restored.
outcome: >-
  Conflict is resolved by restoring harmony and relationship, not by
  assigning punishment; the parties re-enter right relationship with
  community.
practice: >-
  The peacemaker is not a judge — they guide, not decide. The plan must be
  owned by the parties. Ceremony is not optional decoration; it is part of
  restoration.