"Deepening the Process of American Indian/Alaska Native Counseling" is an event sponsored by Swan Circle and coordinated by the University of Alaska Anchorage on August 8-10. 2006.

In the old days, the people would come together and exchange stories, crafts, and foods to nourish one’s spirit, mind and body.  These gifts would nourish the tribe and promote wellness.  Beauty and goodness would begin to surface from the depths of a persona’s soul.  The gifts of creativity would emerge as well so that fresh ideas, beauty, and poetry of language further embellished the tribe’s experience of a good life, of a good mind, of a good heart!  It is our desire to create this atmosphere for the upcoming training so that those who work with clients can pass this tradition on.

Training is for educators and mental health workers. The purpose of conference is to creatively deepen the process of counseling by building on Native traditional ways of communication and healing.  Learn how to integrate stories, symbols, rituals and ceremonies, music, humor, creativity and spirituality into your counseling so that the clients/students feel at home and open to receive your counseling strategies.  Presenters are Dr. Catherine Swan Reimer, Josh Thom, and Joan Cullinane.  Dr. Catherine Swan Reimer (main presenter) is Inupiat and wrote the book Counseling the Inupiat Eskimo based on the Elder’s teachings.  Counseling Today (ACA Journal) wrote an article on her work.  For a full description of the conference, registration, location at the University, and cost visit website. CEU’s available.
 
You may contact them at cathreimer(a)aol.com or joshthom1(a)hotmail.com, tinav(A)uaa.alaska.edu or by calling Tina 907-751-7211, Catherine 503-255-3773, Josh 602-954-1518 for more information.