The circle process is now more focussed on helping her to keep her children than it is on the offender because he is doing well. The issue was not related to the offense, but the circle process provided a way to help with the problem. The real meaning of the circle process was eloquently expressed by an Indian man on the White Earth Reservation at an informational meeting which was introducing circles to the community. Circles call people to more conscious awareness of our connections, our shared fate, our humanity, our spirituality. Awareness of connections is the foundation of authentic community.
Circles provide a way for building that authentic community.