In contrast, traditional Navajo justice deals with people's actions. The Navajo Nation courts get close to 28,000 criminal cases each year. The judges have few sentencing options because there is jail space for only 220 people at any one time. Instead, the Navajo justice system is turning to peacemakers. The action is put on the table.
People talk about what happened and how they feel about it.
One factor especially leaps out that is part of Navajo traditional knowledge. Peacemaking is based upon family therapy. The process is much the same as the ceremonial practice of turning abstract monsters into something tangible and concrete before you, and then dealing with them. Traditional Navajo law requires families to take responsibility for their family members. It is not a coerced responsibility, but one that comes from the respect and love people should have for their relatives.