Description

Sponsored by our local partners: Consensus Council and Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Sociology and Criminal Justice Department

Circle Gathering | August 13–14, 2025 | Moorhead, MN | Hosted by NACRJ | $325 | Limited to 25 participants 

*Group and needs-based rate reductions may be available - contact us to learn more.  

At its heart, this Circle Process Practice is a gathering - a space to come together in community, to be in Circle with others, and to connect with what binds us. It is a place to slow down, listen deeply, and share stories and values that help us recognize our shared humanity.

In coming together in this way, we create a space not just for connection, but also for learning and practicing Circle together. This experience is designed for those who are new to Circle, curious about its potential, or seeking to deepen their relationship with the practice. Over the two days, participants will explore the foundational elements of the process that help create a space rooted in empathy, understanding, and trust.

Circle is rooted in Indigenous wisdom, and we honor the long-standing traditions that inform this way of gathering. Circle is not just a method for communication, it is a sacred approach to dialogue and relationship. It reflects a way of being and a worldview grounded in shared values, deep listening, collective responsibility, and the intentional creation of space for connection, healing, and shared accountability.

As part of this experience, participants will hear from Amanda Mitchell, a member of the Gila River Indian Community (Akimel O’odham, “River People”), who will share cultural teachings from her community, including the story of the "Man in the Maze," a sacred symbol representing the O’odham way of life. These teachings reflect core O’odham values of kinship, balance, healing, and collective responsibility, offering a deeper understanding of how Circle is rooted in and connected to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

During our time together, we will:

• Be in Circle together, learning by practicing the process
• Explore the distinct elements that make Circle a unique and powerful space for dialogue
• Practice the care, preparation, and thoughtfulness that go into being a Circle Keeper
• Reflect on how Circle can be adapted across various settings - schools, justice systems, workplaces, families, and communities

Whether you are exploring what it means to be a Circle Keeper or simply looking to be in Circle with others, this gathering offers a space to learn the process by practicing it. It is especially intended for those who are seeking to bring the practice back to their own communities.

At NACRJ, we believe restorative practices like Circle are essential to creating a safer, more connected, and more equitable world, and this gathering is one way we support that vision by convening those who are called to this way of being.  

Meet the Facilitators: 

Joel Friesz has been a restorative justice practitioner for over twenty years and has served as Executive Director of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) since January 2022. Prior to joining NACRJ, Joel led a statewide restorative justice program for 13 years at a nonprofit agency in North Dakota. During those years, Joel and his team worked extensively with communities across North Dakota and region to implement restorative practices into K-12 schools, the juvenile justice system, and adult corrections. Originally trained in Circle process in 2008, Joel has since incorporated Circle into a wide variety of settings, continually deepening his own learning while supporting others in exploring and embracing the practice.  

Amanda Mitchell is a proud member of the Gila River Indian Community (Akimel O’odham, “River People”) and a descendant of the Omaha Nation. She resides in Vah-Ki Village on her ancestral lands in Bapchule, Arizona.  Amanda brings both lived experience and formal education to her work. She holds dual master’s degrees from Arizona State University, one in American Indian Studies with a focus on Tribal Leadership & Governance, and the other in Public Administration. Her academic background, combined with her lifelong commitment to protecting Tribal sovereignty, advancing restorative justice, and fostering collective care, informs how she shows up in Circle and in community. Amanda currently serves as Program Coordinator at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ), where she has supported national programming and member engagement since 2023.

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For questions, please email info@nacrj.org.