NATIONAL HEALING CONFERENCE

November 5-8, 2001
The Lethbridge Lodge, Lethbridge, Alberta
 

The Challenge
As generations of Aboriginal children returned from residential schools, many brought back a burden of shame and trauma from the various abuses they experienced that was to impact their family and community life for generations to come.  For years, many people have tried to forget, and to shove their hurt feelings into the background so they could get on with everyday life.  The fact is, however, that many of the difficulties our communities are experiencing today have their roots, at least partially, in the residential school experience.  The legacy of residential schools, which still impacts many of our Aboriginal communities today, includes the following:

-Loss of language and destruction of culture
-Interpersonal violence
-Mistrust of leadership and authority
-Spiritual and cultural shame
-Inter-generational abuse
-Lack of initiative and entrepreneurial spirit
-Political infighting and undermining
-Personal rage, shame and dysfunction
-Chronic addictions
-The physical and sexual abuse of children, women
-Dependancy thinking
-The physical and sexual abuse of women, children and other vulnerable people
-Weak or broken bonds of love, trust and caring
-Suicide

ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE

The conference will explore the intergenerational impact of Residential Schools and Federal day Schools on Indigenous communities and individuals, and the culturally relevant healing and community development processes needed to restore Aboriginal people and their communities to health and balance.

Who Should Attend

The conference would be of great interest to anyone affected by or dealing with the effects of Residential Schools or other similar forms of trauma and abuse: survivors, counselors, healers, facilitators, health workers and community organizations.

CONFERENCE COORDINATOR – PHIL LANE JR.

Phil Lane Jr., Yankton Dakota and Chickasaw, the International Co-ordinator of the Four Worlds International Institute, is an internationally recognized leader in human and community development, and has worked with Indigenous people around the world for more than 32 years.  Four World’s film “Healing the Hurts,”  made in 1989, was one of the primary catalysts in igniting the Residential School Healing movement.

Conference Presenters and Workshops

-Phil Lane Jr. (Yankton Dakota and Chickasaw), Healing the Hurt and the Shame
-Susan Powell(Lakota), The Medicine Wheel: A New Vision of Healing
-Harold Belmont Sr.(Squamish and Songhees), Sugar Babies: Diabetes and Recovery
-Angaangaq and Sinikka Lyberth(Inuit), Community Based Conflict Resolution
-Dr. Michael Bopp, Ph.D., Planning for Recovery: Healing our Social, Economic and Political Systems.
-Faith Spotted Eagle(Ihanktonwan Dakota/Nakota), Coming out of the Trance of Internalized Oppression/Lateral Violence

Place:The Lethbridge Lodge, Lethbridge, Alberta
Date: November 5-8, 2001

Registration and Cost
$385.00/person (Includes lunch and juice breaks each day).
Special group rate – For five or more people $345.00/person (Groups must register together to receive the discount).

Please call Four Worlds at(403)320-7144 or e-mail us at [email protected] to register and to receive a registration package including more detailed information.