Workshops guide, encourage the healing process

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People travelled from New York and Boston, from Toronto and Ottawa. They came from Alaska, from across British Columbia and as far away as Thailand. Organizers of the Healing Ourselves-Healing the Human Family conference held Nov. 18 to 21 in Vancouver were expecting 150 delegates, but saw more than 300 participants in Saturday's activities.

The conference, presented by Four Worlds International, the Squamish Nation and the Chief Dan George Memorial Foundation, offered a variety of workshops in all aspects of health and healing.

During Thursday's opening ceremonies, delegates were welcomed by Squamish Nation Chief Janice George and listened to prayers and songs from the Squamish, Musqueam, and Burrard territories.

Chief Leonard George, president and founder of the Chief Dan George Centre, was the keynote speaker for the conference. He welcomed delegates, urging them to seek healing from within themselves.

Thirty members of the Squamish Nation attended the event, including 10 Elders, some of whom were involved in facilitating residential school healing.

"The Elders are just amazing," said Gail Lewis, a member of the Squamish Nation and assistant to conference organizer Phil Lane Jr.

"They open up their own healing, as well as helping our youth and the generations coming up.

They are truly the catalysts for intergenerational healing."

Other opening day activities included a special performance by the internationally acclaimed Maxwell Baha'i Youth Dancers, as well as the first of several daily sharing and healing circles.

The workshops were varied, from "Healing Through the Arts," presented by Adeline Brown, to "Healing Intergenerational Rage" by Faith Spotted Eagle. Four Worlds International director Lane Jr. hosted "Transforming Ourselves and Beyond," basing the material in ancient prophecies, developed with the guidance of Elders. Many of the sessions were interactive in nature, allowing participants to share their experiences, explore the emotional roots of illness and disease, and seek new pathways to healing.

One of the most highly anticipated workshops was hosted by Gary Zukav, author of The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness and The Mind of the Soul: Responsible Choice. Zukav and his spiritual partner and co-author, Linda Francis, presented "Healing Ourselves with Authentic Power," which helped guests understand their emotions and the important role emotions play in life.

"Your emotions are the force field of your soul," said Zukav. "Emotions are a true friend."

Francis added that everything that happens in your life has a purpose.

"I can't stop my emotion, but I can choose how I act... that's how you heal," she said. "You actually feel it without acting out of it."

Another recognized presenter was Merrie Lynn Ross, known for her role as Emma Lutz on General Hospital. A comedian, writer, director and producer, Ross called upon her vast experience in film and television for her workshop "Life as an Improv."

In addition to the 15 workshops conducted over the course of the conference, special activities were held every evening, including breath of life and sweat lodge ceremonies, Shaker Church healings, and guided imagery.

Lewis commented on the beauty of the closing ceremonies, featuring pipe carriers, drumming and closing songs.

"It was so powerful," she said. "People seemed to walk away with a really warm feeling." She added, "People were just walking up to me, hugging me and thanking me... it was an incredible conference... it was almost like we fit like a puzzle."

She said "Out of all of the workshops I've done in the last 20 years, this one was the most calming. It was just so relaxed. That's the feeling I was getting from everyone, including first-timers."

Plans are in the works for the next Vancouver area healing conference in April or May of next year.