The 3rd HOPE CONFERENCE
Healing for Our People Everywhere
For too long, generations of voiceless victims of child sexual trauma
have suffered silently throughout Indian Country. The epidemic of sexual
trauma and sexual abuse is well documented and yet remains prevalent
among Native people. The urgency is now to address this issue from a
culturally appropriate perspective. In response to the necessary call to
action to end this plague in Indian Country, the 3rd Annual HOPE
Conference will be held at The Billings Hotel & Convention Center in
Billings, Montana April 4th & 5th, 2013. The HOPE Conference coincides
with the 45th Annual MSU-Billings Powwow at the Alterowitz Gym on Friday
April 5th and Saturday April 6th. The purpose of the conference is to
address the issue of child sexual trauma within Native communities, and
to bring to light this epidemic which has torn at the fabric of Indian
Country communities for generations. The Conference will focus on the
PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE of this issue, highlighting healing and
resilience.
The conference will cover the historical traumas that were inflicted
upon Native people by government sponsored institutions, religious
institutions, and other avenues of abuse. We will address the current
state of child sexual trauma in Indian Country today. Also, to be
featured are successful programs that are currently operating in
communities. The conference also consists of sessions by leading law
experts addressing this issue from a justice perspective. Finally,
dynamic advocates working in Indian Country today present how
communities can mobilize and work together to decrease the incidents of
sexual trauma.
Attendees will experience a multitude of presentations, entertainment,
workshops, and activities highlighting the rich tapestry of the Native
American perspective towards healing, recovery and justice. The
conference will be opened by Anna Whiting-Sorrell and will be
facilitated by Theda New Breast.
Keynote speakers include Cecilia Fire Thunder and Dr. Arne Graff.
The presentation roster includes Deborah Pace, Kathleen Little
Leaf, Cheryl Eagle, Ken Bear Chief, John Shuster, Linda Thompson,
Melissa Merrick, Charlene Tsaipi and others.
Banquet entertainment will be provided Apsaalooke’s own Chris
Parrish aka Supa Man.
In addition to the 3rd Annual HOPE Conference, the organizing committee
will produce a series of feature stories relating to the issues of child
sexual abuse and healing. Read the stories on Buffalo’s Fire
www.buffalosfire.com,
the online news site run by the renowned Native journalist Jodi Rave.
We will also maintain an active web presence via the conference
website,
Facebook and other social networking sites.
Resources for professionals and survivors, news relating to
sexual abuse lawsuits and other information will be posted on our
Facebook page.
The 3rd HOPE Conference endeavors to eliminate child sexual trauma in
Indian Country by calling upon community leaders, social justice &
victim advocates, legal experts, counselors, survivors and community
members to join us to address this issue. Together we can find solutions
that guarantee the full protection of children from sexual abuse. The
conference is open to the public.
Please 'Like' our
facebook page: The HOPE Conference
daved@dav-enter.com
www.dav-enter.com