Nations gather to heal the spirit worldwide

It was six days of cultural celebration, holistic healing and steps made forward to healthy lifestyles at the fifth gathering of the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW) conference.
From Aug. 6 to 11, Indigenous peoples from New Zealand, Australia, South America, the Arctic, the United States and Canada participated in workshops througout the week that highlighted healing initiatives, research, wellness issues and traditional solutions to health and healing concerns.
Thousands of conference participants and presenters gathered at Poundmaker Treatment Centre in St. Albert under the hot sun for the opening ceremonies to kick-off the conference. Although grand entry got off to a slow start, the crowd didn't seem bothered by the delay, their imaginations piqued by and attention redirected to the variety of regalia worn representing Indigenous nations from the four corners of the world. People looked on in appreciation and wonder as opening day participants made their way to the stage.
It is the second time that Edmonton has hosted the HOSW gathering. The city hosted the first gathering in 1992 and since then Indigenous peoples have gathered for HOSW in Australia, New Zealand and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The vision of one woman, Maggie Hodgson, led to the creation of the international conference. It was first focused on alcohol and drug abuse in Indigenous communities but has blossomed into the many aspects of healing and heath for Native nations.
Hodgson, secretary for the International Indigenous Council for HOSW, has seen the start of many healing journeys through leadership exchanges spawned by HOSW, where folks come together to share ideas and research in the hopes of promoting healthier lifestyles.
"In some cases we've had people (in Canada) for a year on exchange," she said. "They are here for a while to learn from each other, exchange ideas, processes and successes, so that we can strengthen as people across the world," Hodgson said.
Along with the wide range of daily presentations at the conference, there was a variety of activities and events to balance out the intellectual and informative sessions. For example, there was an International Indigenous Marketplace open daily to conference participants and the public. Also, the conference featured different presentations each night, including an art show at the Art Gallery of Alberta, a stage show by hypnotist Scott Ward, an International cultural evening and a video presentation featuring a film by Native Counselling Services of Alberta called Identity.
A theatre arts evening featured a performance of Tomson Highway's play The Rez Sisters.
A major focus of the conference was Indigenous youth, which resulted in the Youth Track program that featured various activities and presentations, specifically for youth ages 13 to 24.
The Youth Track sessions included teachings from Maori, Hawaiian, Mohawk, Cherokee and Inuit presenters. The traditional workshops included the topic Who are You?­Unity and Identity Among Youth. This particular workshop involved the youth interacting in activities that demonstrated how their role in unity and leadership affects them now and it will in the future. The youth also got a lesson in poverty and justice from a group of presenters from New Zealand.
Giselle Robelin initiated an activity called Heartbeats of the Nations. She brought the idea of it to the Indigenous Council of HOSW "and they invited me to share it and they passed a resolution to realize it," Robelin said.
"What it is is that on the sixth, which is today, across the nation from East to West, North to South and sunrise to sunset, we have a whole chain of groups drumming. It started as far East as you can get and it's been traveling West."
So, what does this drumming celebrate or signify, asked Sweetgrass.
"This signifies after many years of oppression and criminalization, that, of course, the drum represents the heart, the heart is beating and the healing has begun," said Robelin. "This moment is where everybody is able to stand up and say our heart is beating strong. The beating of the drum is to show that we are united. Nothing is ever going to be the same after today."
With plans already in motion for the next gathering, which will be hosted by the Indigenous people of Hawaii in 2010, Hodgson said there have already been discussions taking place about "new collaborative research between new countries," which will bring more communities together.