|
Introduction:
Mediator Robert Hughes said that people frequently disputed the other side's "facts," but he explained that it was important that each side understand the other side's "perceptions."
|
This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).
Perceptions and Facts
Robert Hughes
Former CRS Mediator, Seattle Office
|
[Full Interview}
Question:
What did you do to open up the line of communication?
Answer:
They ask questions, and they get the answers. The second session was where we would
begin
the process of problem identification. And at this point, no discussion shall be conducted about
answers or solutions to any of these. That's something else that will happen later. What we want
now is a free and frank exchange of ideas from both sides. Then I would invite, "Would you like
to start off and list your issues?" They've given them to me individually. They would list the
issues, one by one. A certain amount of clarification would begin to be taking place,
understanding of not only what, but why they're upset. The tribal leadership had never heard of
these tribal fishermen defecating in somebody's front yard in front of children, this was
outrageous, and that sort of thing. A certain amount of clarification and explanation began to
take place.
Question:
Were all of those things considered factual information, or were any of those issues ever
challenged?
Answer:
Oh yes. But I would've stated in the beginning that these are perceptions by the people on
this side of the table and it's important for you to not only know what happened, but to hear these
perceptions and try to understand them.
|
