History & Timeline

Members of the Restorative Practices Council—along with the RPC Coordinator—served as keynote speakers and facilitated both the Indigenous Peacemaking Training and the Indigenous Peacemaking Panel at the Practicing Restorative Conference in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Natasha Gourd- RPC Coordinator Hosted a 1 day Indigenous Peacemaking Training- This session explored the deep historical roots of restorative practices and Indigenous Peacemaking. It highlights how these practices have been integral to maintaining balance, justice, and relational accountability in Indigenous communities for centuries. The presentation provided a historical context for restorative justice, focusing on how colonial systems disrupted Indigenous justice models and how Indigenous communities reclaim peacemaking and revitalize these practices today. The session included an interactive Training in Peacemaking Circle Practice, offering participants hands-on experience with traditional Indigenous dialogue, healing, and conflict resolution methods.

Sadie Nelson- Former RPC Member and Natasha Gourd RPC Coordinator participated in a panel on Indigenous Peacemaking and Restorative Justice at the Practicing Restorative Justice Conference, co‑sponsored by Minnesota State University Moorhead and Consensus Council.

Dr. Rachel Bachmeier, Principal West Fargo High School & RPC Member hosted a key note session.

“Restoring to What?

The Importance of Community in Schools”

Rachel Bachmeier is Principal of West Fargo High School. Originally from Kent, Ohio, Dr. Bachmeier attended Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio for her undergraduate degree, majoring in History and Secondary Education. Upon graduating, Dr. Bachmeier joined Teach for America and served as a Corps Member on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, teaching 8th Grade Language Arts at Todd County Middle School. In 2016, Dr. Bachmeier moved to her husband’s hometown of West Fargo and began her career at West Fargo High School, first as an English Learner Social Studies instructor and later as an administrator. She received her doctorate from the University of North Dakota in 2024, completing a dissertation on restorative practices, and lives in West Fargo with her husband, daughter, and their rescue pup.

Hired Lusiana Keller- New RPC Coordinator

Lusiana Keller
RPC Coordinator, Consensus Council

Lusiana Keller serves as the Restorative Practices Council (RPC) Coordinator at Consensus Council, where she supports statewide efforts to promote restorative practices in schools and communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Minot State University and is passionate about empowering youth and families, especially those from underserved backgrounds.

Originally from Kelso, Washington, Lusiana has lived in North Dakota since 2017. She brings energy, compassion, and a strong commitment to equity and healing to her work.

• • Building trust and collaboration
  • Exploring communication styles with the Insights Discovery model
  • Reviewing recent policy developments
  • Learning from school-based restorative practices
  • Planning next steps for statewide implementation

Guest speakers included Jayme Davis, who led a session on communication and collaboration, and Bird Guess, who shared insights on leadership and systems change.