The Na'Nizhoozhi Center is a wonderful place for camping. It is a beautiful setting and the Center furnished us with a wonderful breakfast to get us ready for the big Conference scheduled for this day. The day was bright and beautiful. We could not have asked for better weather or surroundings.

We began the day with a Sunrise Prayer Ceremony prior to breakfast. Then the Master of Ceremonies - Dennis Lorenzo began to introduce the speakers. First to speak to the Conference attendees and Walkers was Ray Daw the Executive Director of the Center. We felt very welcomed by his words and thank him and all of his Staff for their fine hospitality.

Don Coyhis shared the Story of the Hoop and the tragedy of Brandy... the little 5 year old girl from Cheyene Wyoming who died as a result of domestic violence. He shared his personal story of Recovery and Healing as well.

This was followed by workshops as follows:

• Gang Awareness: Officer Lloyd Shirtley
• Cancer Issues for men,women, & children: Mavis Price (Outreach Worker)
• Treatment of Co-occuring Disorders & Alcohol Addiction: Dr. Antonio Fernandez
• Substance Use/Abuse & HIV: Darrel Joe
• Walking in Two Worlds - Wingate H.S. - Rainbow Alliance
• Eagle Plume Society : Harrison Jim & Anderson Hoskie (Counselors)
• Victim Impact Panel
• Healing from Substance Abuse through Native Culture: Gary O'Dell

These workshops were held in Hogans and Tipis that are scattered across the grounds of the Center near the big tent which was the main gathering place for the Welcoming Ceremony the prior evening... and today's Conference. I will not write details about what went on inside the workshops... as these are very much like a Talking Circle. A Talking Circle in the Traditional Way is a 'safe place' ... because you can ask that the Circle be 'closed' and the People in that Circle respect your words as Sacred. The words and sharing are not taken outside the Circle because that would be violating this Sacred Trust....which would mean that the 'safety' of speaking your heart and trusting that it is kept inside that Circle would not be felt by the participants any longer.

By the nature of the workshop titles you can gather what the discussion and talk was about. And I can share with you that the workshops were effective. How do I know this if I did not attend them and listen to every word spoken in each of the lodges and hogans where these workshops were held? I know because of the energy and the conversations that went on between people as they took their lunch breaks and afternoon break. They were having powerful words about the 'Coming Together Time' of all People. They were excited about the winds of change that are blowing across Turtle Island. They were filled with the Hope that comes with Healing. The Workshops... the Conference... the power of the thousands of prayers that are within that Sacred Hoop.... it all was reflected in the conversations and in the smiles of the people who were at the Na'Nizhoozhi Center this beautiful day.

This kind of fellowship.... these conversations... this day... this is exactly the kind of thing we need to do in order to be reminded that 'we are all related'... all Children of the Creator. Brothers and Sisters in that way of Spirit. The more we as individuals reach out to our families, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers... the sooner we will come to that time of healing. That's how the healing of the Four Directions of Mother Earth will happen. First the Individual.. then the Family... then the Community... and finally the Nation. We all have a part of this to do... whether you attend a Conference or come to Walk with us or support us on this Journey - take that step towards healing for yourself, your family, your community.... this is how we will have a Healthy Nation. This is how we will put an end to alcohol and drug abuse... domestic violence... and all of the other issues that we have created. The ways to go about this are as varied as there are People. It is not as important 'how' we go about this Healing.... as it is that WE take the responsibility for our own personal Wellbriety Movement as an individual. When you change... when you get well... you will see this reflected in the people with whom you share this message. This is what I learned today from all of the conversations during and after this Conference. The sharing and growth was tremendous this day. There were friendships made that will last a lifetime in the hearts of the Walkers and the Conference attendees... even if our paths do not cross again on this journey we call life. Thank you to all of the Workshop Instructors, the Speakers, and the tireless People who cooked for most of the day in order to serve us lunch and the wonderful dinner we shared together. As a perfect ending to a good day like this... the sweats for both men and women were again made available.