M.S.W. Professors Shine Spotlight on Restorative Justice

It’s not often you hear the sound of a Saponi/Tuscarora traditional Indigenous song and drum blanketing the hallways and massive open space in Bethany Hall - and the joyful laughter that followed a directive for all present to get up and participate in a traditional Native American "round dance," or peek inside and find a steady crowd swelling to nearly 200, gathered in advance of Native American Heritage Month in late October, to explore and learn about current best practices in the social welfare and social justice paradigm of what the social work profession calls "restorative justice."

A hot buzzword in social welfare circles that’s grown across academic and community organizing work over the past 10 years, alongside the practice of anti- or undoing-racism workplace training in the past 15-20, Seton Hall University’s Masters of Social Work program showed its commitment to the issues during its first annual restorative justice conference on campus on October 19, 2023.

Spearheaded by M.S.W. program faculty Juan Rios, DSW, LCSW and Priscilla Carmona, LCSW, the conference attracted students and other guests from many disciplines across social work, criminal justice reform, Indigenous cultural education and healing, law, and politics. 

"The first annual restorative justice event co-sponsored by the Seton Hall Masters of Social Work program and Hudson County Community Management Organization was a powerful reminder of the transformative potential within our community," said Rios. "Bringing together healers, researchers, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders ignited a flame of hope that designs transformative, compassionate communities. We need more of these events to nurture unity and healing in our entire community of practice."

The interdisciplinarity of the crowd was inspiring: kicked off by a land acknowledgment from Native scholar June DePonte Sernak, Ed.D., the day-long conference also featured speakers on criminal justice, post-incarceration evolution, the political legislative process around social policy, Indigenous (via Native American cultural educator and performer John Scott Richardson) restorative justices and "landback" territory issues, community healing, and more. 

"We are honored to be able to bring the practices of restorative justice out of community organizations focused on rehabilitative incarceration, anti-racism, and other social work issues, into a Seton Hall University conference - allowing us to reach community leaders, scholars, politicians and students across a number of disciplines," said Carmona. 

The crowd varied throughout the day, with guests enjoying a catered lunch of beans and rice, empanadas, chicken, and more.  At all times, the group was engaged and excited to be there.

The day saw emotional "I am Human" and "Hudson County Healing Circle" panels, as well as guest speakers on incarceration and legislative issues, V. DuWayne Battle, Ph.D., MSW; Alia Berry, MSW, LSW, CEO-Seeds and Berries; Evan Collier - Chief of Staff - Assemblyman Reginald Atkins’ Office; and Dr. Darcella Sessomes, State of NJ, Dept. of Corrections. The conference was punctuated by a rousing spoken word session by Robery Hylton and cultural education by Native American educator John Scott Richardson. 

Hylton offered poetry about racism in communities and the experience of BIPOC citizens in America. At the same time, Richardson shared Native American restorative justice practices handed down for generations across Indian Country, with in-depth history lessons that left many in the crowd audibly surprised and impressed. He closed by telling guests to make a circle for an inclusive round dance, a traditional Native song and step done in celebration at gatherings, alongside the organizers and M.S.W. graduate student who is a citizen of the Shinnecock Indian Nation of New York. 

As the day drew to a close, several guests lingered well past the last remarks, pleased to have spent the day considering different perspectives and eager for another opportunity to do so next year. 

Categories: Arts and Culture