Restoring Balance: Traditional California Native Approaches to Wellness

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: UC Santa Cruz, Merrill Cultural Center
Host: American Indian Resource Center

The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series Board and the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) invite campus and community participation in the second bi-annual speaker series. This event will focus on traditional California Native approaches to wellness. This event continues our exploration on the impact of historical trauma and genocide discussed in the spring 2009 by Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart. Restoring Balance brings our conversation to ways in which we can apply traditional medicine ways as an effective intervention in our daily lives.

This event will host three elders who come from California Native American traditions. These speakers include:

RON ALEC: Spiritual Leader and Cultural Expert from the Mono Tribe of California. Ron has over 25 years of community involvement and leadership in the American Indian Community in California. He is the Chair of the Haslett Basin traditional Committee and is also a Vietnam War veteran. Ron has been a guest of the Pope in support of Indigenous issues of the United States.

CALEEN SISK-FRANCO: An educator for over 25 years, Caleen Sisk-Franco, Winnemem Wintu, is the great-niece and appointed successor of Florence Jones, Spiritual Doctor and Leader of the Winnemem Wintu tribe. Caleen is deeply involved in maintaining the Winnemem Wintu culture and ceremonies and is the focal point for the Winnemem's tribal recognition efforts. She concentrates her time on managing the task of resolving the recognition issue for the Winnemem Wintu as well as directing the Winnemem's charter school, "Lubeles Academy." She is also now carrying forward the spiritual obligations of her role as leader of the Winnemem Wintu. Caleen is deeply rooted in her spirituality, her family, and her devotion to her tribal people.

RON CHRISTMAN: Lipay Ipai of the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Indians, aka Lipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. Christaman, is an Elder a spiritual adviser to his tribe and a keeper of the cultural traditions. Ron is a teacher of traditional Bird singing.

Each speaker will be addressing the issues of wellness, their own experiences and perspectives based on their work within Native American communities. They will provide tangible advice for both students and community members on various traditional practices that can be integrated into every day living.

Directions to UCSC and Merrill College
http://maps.ucsc.edu/cmdirections.html &
http://maps.ucsc.edu/cmmerrill.html
For disability related needs or accommodations,
call the AIRC at 831/459-2881