Wind River Reservation Set to Restart Wellness Court
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Tribes on the Wind River Reservation are set to restart a program aimed at keeping people out of jail for substance abuse problems.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports that the disbanding of the reservation's tribal court put an end to the wellness court program. However, the program is expected to resume as early as this month following the establishment of a new tribal court last year.
The business councils of both the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho tribes have approved the program which had a successful test run from the winter through spring.
Unlike some traditional drug courts, tribal wellness courts are tailored to the culture of the community they serve.
Juvenile wellness court coordinator Maria Musalem says Wind River participants could participate in sweat lodge ceremonies or visit with elders.