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3rd Annual Youth Summit Held For Our Healing Spirit Craft Talking Circle

Tribal citizen youth from around the country came to Juneau, Alaska for Tlingit & Haida’s third annual Youth Summit held February 2-4.

With the theme, “We Are Going to Unite Ourselves,” the goal of the summit was to provide a space for youth to learn from each other, use their collective voice to influence change, and learn how to engage in the tribal government process.

“We need to prepare for the future,” said Youth Commission Delegate Patrice DeAsis. “Youth are part of the community, and it’s important to get a base foundation of knowledge of how government works and how we can get our community to come together.”

Join Tlingit & Haida’s Community & Behavioral Services Healing Center for a craft talking circle, Haa Tuwunáagu Yis (For Our Healing Spirit). The talking circle meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 6 PM at the Andrew Hope Building (320 W. Willoughby Ave.) in Juneau, Alaska. This is a safe place where participants can work on their own craft projects, as well as share and explore the importance of the circle and its four seasons.

What You’ll Find:

ƒ Share Thoughts & Feelings

Freely

ƒ Contribute to Discussions

ƒ Experience Support, Fellowship & Belonging

ƒ Learn from Each Other

ƒ Develop Strong Relationships Built on Trust & Acceptance

For more information, contact Family & Community Engagement Specialist Jeni Brown at 907.463.7396 or email jgbrown@ccthita-nsn.gov.

Lyle and Kolene James were the keynote speakers for the event. They talked about breaking the cycle of violence and addiction that can impact Indigenous people and how to build relationships while healing together.

In a talking circle, participants shared the challenges they face as Indigenous youth, including racism in schools, access to cultural resources and healing from generational trauma.

Workshops included learning governance and federal trust responsibilities, understanding the impacts residential boarding schools had on Indigenous cultures, and exploring the teaching and medicinal properties of plants.

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