Indigenous cultural artifacts share space with family photos on the walls and shelves of Justin Richland's UC Irvine office: kachina dolls, Hopi ceremonial rattles and a skate deck made by Lakota-owned Wounded Knee Skateboards.
The items reflect ancient traditions as well as ways in which Native Americans are adapting their culture to the modern era. It's fitting that Richland, associate professor of criminology, law & society, anthropology and law, straddles both worlds.
As co-founder and board member of The Nakwatsvewat Institute, he works with the Hopi tribe in Northern Arizona to settle disputes out of court in a manner mindful of their heritage. The nonprofit's name comes from a Hopi term meaning "moving forward together in a friendly way."
via zotzine.uci.edu
