From heartbreak to healing: Conference covers it all

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Hundreds of delegates took part is this year's Knowing Our Spirits Conference, held Nov. 26 to 28 in Edmonton. The conference was celebrating its tenth anniversary with workshops offered on a variety of topics from bridging the gap between adults and teens to reining in rage.

Keynote speakers were Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona and entertainer Susan Aglukark. At the banquet on the first evening, Aglukark gave a heart-wrenching speech about the sexual abuse she suffered during her childhood, the difficulties she faced after she reported the incidents and her choice to leave her community in order to heal.

Bernie Makokis, director of the Tribal Chiefs Institute, the hosts of the conference, said more than 1,000 people attended over the course of the three days.

"This conference is really attracting a lot of people. We even had one person who was from Florida," he said.

Makokis said that when the conference began 10 years ago, he couldn't foresee that it would be such a success. Aboriginal people want to heal, and he said the institute provides them with the tools to lead successful and happy lives.

"I feel good about it. I really believe that we were able to provide strong messages about wellness to many Aboriginal people for them to take home to their communities. This is what this conference is all about. It is about us healing mentally, physically and spiritually," he said.

He said the massage therapist on site was kept busy with more than 200 people taking advantage of her services.

"It shows that the Aboriginal people are really looking for ways to heal rather than drinking or doing drugs. The Comedy Night Show was also well-attended. There was standing room only. Tickets were completely sold out. We had a good response on that one too," he said.

Plans will soon be underway for next year's conference, said Makokis. Each year the committee looks at ways of improving the workshops, entertainment or the agenda. He said that judging by the evaluation forms, delegates were giving a lot of positive feedback.

"Really positive remarks. I noticed that we had quite a few people who were new at the conference. The people's comments were 'continue the conference as long as the sun shines and the rivers flow. That is the kind of response that we are getting," he said.