Dr. Carma Corcoran named Native Hope Fellow

Dr. Carma Corcoran, Director of the Indian Law Program, has been named a Native Hope Fellow. The Native Hope Fellowship Program’s website states that it “empowers creativity and leadership in Indigenous Peoples and their communities. The initiative generates and supports opportunities and funding for individuals to develop their vision and improve Indian Country.”

Dr. Corcoran is an enrolled member Chippewa-Cree, deeply influencing her approach to research, scholarship, law, and community-building. As a result, her fellowship is focused on bringing hope and healing to tribal communities whose family members have been impacted by incarceration using Gentle Action Theory in conjunction with Traditional Ways. Using the fellowship’s financial award she will offer interactive workshops in both Oregon and Montana.

The workshops will address the issue of incarceration for Indigenous families and communities; discuss the barriers for incarcerated people; and leave the community with a model of healing. Corcoran’s project is estimated to run for 12 months, with funds used for materials, facility costs, travel expenses, and honorariums, and protocol gifts.

Dr. Corcoran hopes to discuss and address societal issues for Indigenous People, offer opportunities for people to share their experiences and feelings in regards to incarceration and reentry, and provide a model of hope and healing for family and community restoration.

“I feel both humble and proud to be chosen as a Native Hope Fellow; the opportunity to serve my people and to carry on my work in Indian Country is validating and needed,” said Dr. Corcoran.”With the support of the fellowship and the workshops I will be doing, I hope to accomplish a wide-spread delivery of Gentle Action Theory and Traditional Ways for our tribal communities as we address the societal issue of incarceration of our people.

Native Communities will benefit from the fellowship sharing tools to both address the societal issue of incarceration in Indigenous communities and learn the practical application of employing methods to bring hope and healing while using traditional ways and culture.