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Fall 2026

Mediation Musings: Land

Sara Barnes

The lesson was conceived to help students to build a three-dimensional sense of geography and to show how water levels define landforms. As the water rose in the container, one of the fifth graders remarked, “I bet whoever owned that beach was pissed when all the water drowned their land.” Another 11-year-old suggested, “There would probably be fights between people who wanted land.”

Since the earliest civilizations’ permanent settlements, where there is land, there has been conflict. Unlike many resources, land is a usually finite asset—coastal land reclamation and volcano expansion aside. This zero-sum nature transforms land disputes into existential battles. For those involved, every land claim can feel fundamental to survival and identity.

Identity and Belonging

Some communities view land not as a commodity but as integral to their cultural survival and spiritual heritage. Refugees and displaced persons often view return to ancestral lands as central to justice and healing. These identity dimensions mean that land conflicts cannot be resolved through purely economic or legal maneuvering—they require approaches that acknowledge cultural and existential dimensions.

Land conflicts can intersect with group and individual sense of identity and belonging. The Landback movement represents contemporary efforts to return ancestral lands to Indigenous peoples as an acknowledgment of historical dispossession and a recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.

On the Island

Here on the homeland of the Wampanoag people, the foundational conflicts around land ownership trace a historical arc to the English seafarers who named it Martha's Vineyard. The original residents of this island, going back over 10,000 years, had a name for their home—Noepe.

The Aquinnah Land Initiative (ATI) is an Indigenous women-led 501(c)(3) with the mission "to restore the sacred relationship between the Wampanoag people and our ancestral lands ...We continue the traditional understanding, as expressed in our Wôpanâak language, kutahkeemun — that the land is not separate from our bodies, and as we care for and restore our connection to it, the land, in return, heals and sustains us.”

This Land Is ...

Woody Guthrie wrote his song "This Land is Your Land," and it was popularized by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, and more recently Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez. The song has been adapted for various countries from Sweden to Guyana and translated into various languages including Cornish, Catalan and Irish Gaelic.

The universality of the lyrics indicates the deep and meaningful human connection to land. This land was made for you and me is a foundational ideal that transcends culture, nationality, generation and ideology. As we work to advance the idea of peaceful and respectful conflict resolution, I think it is helpful to understand that the connection to land and lands is at the core of many disputes in need of resolution.

Read a longer column linking housing struggles and land disputes with additional resources for the reader here.

Join us at Children’s Day! 🎉

On Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 4 pm at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, join us for an afternoon of fun, learning, snacks, raffles and community connection.

This free event is hosted by AAA Bilingual Community Navigator, the Building Bridges Coalition, and Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center. All are welcome!

📅 October 24, 2026 | 1–4 pm

📍 Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School

Click Here to Register!

Click Here to View the Flyers as a PDF

Celebrate Conflict Resolution Week!

October 18–24

Whether you're in conflict with yourself, your dog, the neighbor's yard creeping into yours, or the internal voice that says, "I could have handled that differently" — conflict shows up in different places.

As Conflict Resolution Week approaches, we’re celebrating the work of those in the conflict resolution field, including our own team at MV Mediation. We believe conflict isn’t a dead end or something to avoid. It can be an opportunity to pause, get curious and find a way forward.

Celebrate the week by exploring how conflict can become a starting point, using these tips from our mediation toolkit:

Listen to understand, not to respond. Put aside your next point and give the other person space to finish their thoughts.
Get curious. Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask, “Can you tell me more about that?”
Swap assumptions for questions. Before deciding what someone meant, pause and explore what you may not yet understand.
Focus on the problem, not the person. Address the issue without blaming or attacking.
Take a pause. When a conversation starts to escalate, stepping back can create room for a more productive exchange.
Practice in calm, everyday moments. Strong listening skills are built through small, consistent efforts—not just when conflict arises.

Make the Share Mediation Pledge

Or celebrate Conflict Resolution Week

by strengthening your skills!

Our fall Intro course still has openings.

To view our full Courses at a Glance offerings, click here.

Intro to Mediation

Our Introduction to Mediation course consists of 36 hours of class + independent work taught in two sections. The first 18 hours is Mediation Basics. The second 18 hours is Mediation Qualification. Participants who complete both sections will apprentice, if desired, with MV Mediation in order to become a qualified mediator in Massachusetts.

Section One, Mediation Basics, will be held on Tuesdays from 10 am to 1 pm beginning November 3, 2026. All classes will be via Zoom.

1. November 3 - What is mediation?

2. November 10 - Setting the stage

3. November 17 - Listening to the conflict story

4. November 24 - Crafting mediation questions

5. December 1 - Negotiating in mediation

6. December 8 - Developing the final agreement

Section Two, Mediation Qualification in Massachusetts, will be held on Tuesdays from 10 am to 1 pm beginning January 12, 2027. All classes will be via Zoom.

1. January 12 - Mitigating impasse

2. January 19 - Mediation and neuroscience

3. January 26 - Biases and diversity in mediation

4. February 2 - Power imbalances

5. February 9 - Handling emotions in mediation

6. February 16 - Ethical dilemmas in mediation

MEDIATORS’ CHECK-IN

A weekly drop-in for those in the conflict resolution field including local, national and international mediators, facilitators and coaches. New topics weekly. Donations appreciated. Wednesdays at 4 pm––all welcome!

October Series:

Nervous System Reset—Regulate Yourself to Be Able to Help Others

October 7 — Self talk—Be the supportive person you need
October 14 — Body awareness—Use your entire body system to self-monitor
October 21 — Schedule—Plan to have peace of mind by scheduling peace
October 28 — Pick your people—Choose the people who help you regulate

Coaching Check-in—November is Conflict Coaching month to support our coaches.

Stories help us to help others. What are your stories?

Email education@mvmediation.org for the Zoom link.

Have a suggestion for Mediators’ Check-in?

Send ideas here: https://forms.gle/J7mFfw99awtKKsS

We are here to serve our community, all residents, regardless of immigration status. See information about immigration here. If you know someone on Martha’s Vineyard who needs advice on immigration matters, please contact Corey Lazar, immigration attorney, for a FREE consultation. Click HERE to request a FREE consultation.

Estamos aqui para servir nossa comunidade, todos os residentes, independentemente do status de imigração. Veja informações sobre imigração aqui. Se você conhece alguém em Martha’s Vineyard que precise de orientação sobre questões de imigração, entre em contato com Corey Lazar, advogado especializado em imigração, para uma consulta gratuita.

Consumer Tips for Veterans

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) works to protect and empower consumers through education, advocacy and resources that promote fair business practices. As part of this work, OCABR shares guidance to help veterans and their families recognize and avoid scams, including fraudulent VA benefits assistance and pension poaching. See some tips below.

Learn more about OCABR here.

View the Veterans Scam Prevention Flyer in Spanish here.

Board of Directors’ Corner

The September board meeting included updates on our Youth Program’s accomplishments and plans for the 2027 school year. The board also discussed preparations for the October 24th Children’s Day Fest, a collaborative effort between AAA Bilingual Community Navigators, Martha’s Vineyard Mediation, and the Building Bridges Coalition. Together, these initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting youth, fostering community partnerships and advancing our mission of making conflict resolution a known, accessible resource for the Island.

Board Members in the Community

We’re proud to highlight Berta Welch, an MV Mediation Board Member who is also helping lead the Aquinnah Land Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the sacred relationship between the Wampanoag people and their ancestral lands in Aquinnah and throughout Martha’s Vineyard. Let's celebrate her leadership and dedication to our community! Learn more about the Aquinnah Land Initiativehere.

Read the rest of the newsletter about our programs, partners, upcoming events, DEIBJ, team meetings and more by clicking on the link view entire message below.

Community Event Share: FORE The Kids Golf Tournament

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School is hosting its first annual “FORE The Kids” Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 11, at Mink Meadows Golf Course!

We’re happy to share this opportunity to support local students and connect with community members. Consider participating, sponsoring or spreading the word!

Community Event Share: ACE MV's Financial Foundations

Financial stress can put pressure on families, relationships and households. From disagreements about budgeting and shared expenses to differing approaches to saving and spending, money can become a source of tension.

That’s why we’re excited to share ACE MV’s Financial Foundations, a three-part workshop series designed to help participants build healthy budgeting and personal finance habits.

And at MV Mediation, we know that financial disagreements aren’t always just about the numbers. They can involve trust, communication, differing values and competing needs. While financial education can help prevent some conflicts, mediation offers a space to work through disagreements when they arise.

Have a financial conflict you’d like to start addressing? Reach out to us to learn how our conflict resolution services can help you take the first steps forward.

CONNECT to End Violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. CONNECT has several events planned to honor this. Our Shine a Light MV campaign is back. For this, we ask people to display purple lights around the Island to raise awareness and show support for survivors of domestic violence. We have purple lights available at Chicken Alley and the local libraries, and by calling our hotline, 508-696-7233.

Purple Thursday is October 15th: Please wear purple to show your support.

Events & Calendars

Upcoming Events:

September 26, 11am – 12pm United Nations International Day of Peace: "Nurturing Sustainable Peace through EI": Learn more here.📍Virtual via Zoom; Email info@meaningfulworld.com to receive the link.
October 15, 11am Consumer Clinic: MV Mediation will provide consumer assistance and information at the Tisbury Council on Aging.📍34 Pinetree Road, Tisbury.
October 24, 1 – 4pm Children's Day: An afternoon of celebration, fun, learning and community. View the flyer here.📍 Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, 100 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs.

Our Friends’ Calendars:

SPECIALIZED TEAM MEETINGS

Wednesdays 9–10:30 am

September 30 • Small Claims Team

October 7 • Housing Team

November 4 • Divorce & Family Team

November 18 • Bristol County Expansion Team

Email info@mvmediation.org for the Zoom link.

DEIJ+B: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, JUSTICE + BELONGING

Learning through

a Conflict Resolution Lens

Each month, we highlight observances that invite us to reflect on the values at the heart of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging. Through a conflict resolution lens, these recognitions remind us that strong communities are built through empathy, respectful dialogue and a willingness to understand one another across differences.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October) — National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive workplaces.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 12) — Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors Indigenous peoples, their histories, cultures and ongoing contributions. It invites reflection on the importance of respecting lived experiences, acknowledging historical injustices and learning from diverse perspectives.

LGBTQ+ History Month (October) — LGBTQ+ History Month celebrates the histories, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating spaces where people are comfortable being their authentic selves.

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES:

AGRICULTURAL & FARMING MEDIATION

As you explore the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society's Farm Guide and support the Island's incredible farms, remember that healthy farms depend on healthy relationships, too. MV Mediation is part of a national network of USDA-supported farm, agriculture and aquaculture mediation programs, providing assistance to farmers, growers and aquacultural businesses navigating challenges such as debt, neighbor disputes, succession planning, workplace conflict, management issues and more.

Most services are free or low-cost thanks to USDA funding. As a farm-supportive community, we're proud to support the people who keep Martha's Vineyard's agricultural traditions thriving.

CONFLICT COACHING

A voluntary, confidential and self-determined one-on-one process designed to assist individuals to gain a new perspective. Conflict coaching can be an alternate service when one person requests mediation but the other party declines. Clients, along with their coach, review healthy conflict-resolution tools and strategies, leaving with a self-determined plan to productively resolve conflict.

LOCAL CONSUMER PROGRAM

MV Mediation’s Local Consumer Program (LCP) is part of a statewide network of agencies working together in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to help protect consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices. If you’re facing challenges with retail purchases, utility bills, home improvement contracts, car sales and financing or any other consumer transaction, our LCP staff can provide advocacy and an opportunity to work with the business toward a solution — without going to court. To file a complaint against a business, the first step is to fill out the complaint form through the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy & Response Division.

FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM

Divorce, Family & Conflict Resolution

We offer help talking with your spouse or partner about divorce, parenting issues, custody schedules, financial decisions and communication itself, and can help you to renegotiate existing plans. We also work with reconciling couples and those who have conflicts they need help to resolve. Listen to this description of Divorce and Family Mediation.

Here is a recent article about the practice of Couples Mediation, a conflict resolution process for couples who are working to strengthen their conflict resolution skills and work toward making better decisions through improved communication and understanding.

MEDIAÇÃO EM CASOS DE FAMÍLIA E DIVÓRCIO

Divórcio, Disputas em Familia e Resolução de Conflitos

Conflitos entre marido e mulher, pais e filhos, problemas conjugais, com parceiros ou entre familiares, divórcio, custódia física e legal, planejamento para os cuidados do menor, visitação de menores, revisão do suporte financeiro e plano de visitação, divisão de bens e possível reconciliação. info@mvmediation.org or call 508-693-2999

HOUSING MEDIATION PROGRAM

Tenant or Landlord Conflict?

We offer FREE MEDIATION for housing cases in Dukes and Bristol Counties and information about RAFT––rental financial assistance for back rent or moving out. Take a look at this article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reporting about erroneous information about tenants being used and affecting homelessness and evictions.

MEDIAÇÃO EM CASOS DE MORADIA

Conflitos entre o proprietário e inquilinos?

Mediação GRÁTIS para qualquer tipo de conflito relativo a sua moradia nos Condados de Dukes e Bristol, e informações sobre o RAFT- programa de assistência financeira.

admin@mvmediation.org or call 508-693-2199

RE-ENTRY PROGRAM

Easier Transition from Incarceration to Community

Re-entry Mediation is FREE to incarcerated individuals, pre-release, and recently released individuals, post-release. For more information, check out our flyers for pre-released and post-released individuals.

IN-COURT AND COURT-REFERRED

MEDIATION SERVICES

MV Mediation provides free mediation services for eviction cases in Bristol and Dukes Counties. We are present at District Courts in Attleboro, Fall River, Taunton and Edgartown for summary process cases. MVMC offers free services for civil cases and small claims in advance of the court date. We are also qualified to provide in-court and court-referred services for Dukes County District, Superior, Probate and Family Courts. We provide mediation for pre-criminal and 286 E harassment cases. Our Juvenile court mediators help with cases referred from the Juvenile Court. MV Mediation waives fees for cases referred by court or with an active docket number.

WORKPLACE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

MV Mediation provides support to resolve conflicts in the workplace. We provide workshops and develop conflict resolution projects with workplaces, nonprofit organizations and municipal and trades workplaces. Our confidential Workplace Management Cohort for supervisors and managers is a popular offering.

FACILITATION SERVICES

MV Mediation provides facilitation services for groups, boards of directors, organizations, companies and families. Neutral and confidential facilitation allows those who are attending the meeting to fully participate. If you need facilitation services, please reach out to discuss your needs. Read this article that describes how a facilitator can help you or your organization.

“We are in a much better place since we had a facilitator help us to pull things together. Thanks to the mediation program for all your help.”

–– A recent facilitation client

SOCIAL MEDIA

Following us on social media is a great way to support MV Mediation! Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Don’t miss out on helpful tips about managing conflicts in your daily life. You will also get the latest information about community events, workshops and courses.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Thank you for being part of our important conflict resolution work for 41 years. Your generosity helps us to further our impact and support community needs.

Donate here