The Chickasaw Nation Peacemaking Court is a forum for resolving conflicts using Chickasaw traditions, customs and culture as the basis for finding peace in the resolution. The Peacemaking Court is a division of the Chickasaw Nation District Court.
Peacemaking is a process that requires the parties to agree to peacemaking and to the selection of the peacemakers in order to participate in the peacemaking process and resolve their differences.
The core values of the Peacemaking court are respect, humility, compassion, spirituality and honesty. No value carries more significance than any other. Participation in the Peacemaking Circle process indicates acceptance of these values both in word and action and a commitment to move forward from the point of dispute.
For those who are litigants in our court and request our Peacemaking, we will strive to be:
- Mediators of their differences;
- Leaders in teaching them our history, customs and culture;
- Healers of conflict by promoting peace and harmony;
- Guides to teach them and help them find their tribal identity.
The Peacemakers
Robert Cole
"I'm a caring, loving and spiritual Chickasaw man. I am a husband and father of three married sons and a daughter. I also have three married step-daughters. Altogether, I have 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. As a peacemaker, I want to assist people in overcoming their fears and problems, no matter what they might be, and give them confidence to make their own decisions."
Kathi Trent
"I was born in Ardmore in 1953 and raised on a ranch south of Ringling. My parents are Bane and Wilma Bigbie and my grandmother is Fannie Jewel Coffee Bigbie, a Chickasaw original enrollee from Lone Grove. I graduated from Ringling High School in 1971 and later received a degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma. I am married and living in Norman where we raised our four children. We are active in our church and love spending time with our family and our first grandchild."
Anna Cole
"I am 69 years old and married to a Chickasaw man for 30 years. We have seven children and 16 grandchildren between us. I am a very caring person and live to work with people. My goal as a Peacemaker is to help people with their problems whatever they may be."
John Edwards
"I am the spouse of an enrolled Chickasaw citizen. Being Shawnee Indian, with my father being a champion stomp dancer and singer and my mother known for shaking turtle shells, ties our marriage, culture and heritage closer as mates.The Chickasaw Nation’s great leadership is a blessing in so many ways, especially in helping our people heal through Peacemakers.
Peacemakers give people the chance to tell their story, so the healing can begin."
Tewanna Anderson-Edwards
"Jeanette and Edwin Anderson parents, grandparents were David and Martha Quincy and great grandfather Herbert M. Quincy (Roll # 2401 Chickasaw enrollee). My father and brothers (John, Ron, James) served our country and my great uncle, Otis W. Leader was a war hero and code talker.
We attended Indian boarding schools (Carter Seminary), Indian church singing and stomp dances. Peacemaking provides a road for inner positive-peace. We seek long term sustainable solutions for our people, so that their circle will be complete.
Thank you Chickasaw Nation for giving me the opportunity to give back to our people."
Don Moody
"I am the son of Lloyd T. and Vivian Burns Moody (#198 Newborn) and grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma. I am a graduate of Oklahoma University with a business administration degree and am active with the Chickasaws in the Duncan area. I am the story teller for my clan of relatives and I am very concerned we do not lose our Indian traditions. I also help deliver Meals on Wheels to shut-ins on a weekly basis and am the past president of the following organizations: Duncan Association of Insurance Agents, Duncan Association of Realtors, Oklahoma Association of Realtors and was District Chairman of the Boys Scouts. I remain a member of these organizations: Rotary, Duncan Chamber of Commerce and the United Way. I am an elder and trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Duncan."