Wise Women Gathering Place White Bison A Wellbriety movement: Training local members to provide unique opportunities for communities to create their own healing network

This project was supported by Grant No This project was supported by Grant No. 2017- X0835-WI-UW awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Wise Women Gathering Place Mission statement The mission of Wise Women Gathering Place (WWGP) is to promote Peace, Respect, and Belonging through skill-building, sharing of resources and caring support of our communities. CORE VALUES: We strive to protect & preserve wholeness & integrity. We believe that everyone has their best interests at heart.

White Bison & WWGP A vision of “Peace Respect and Belonging” White Bison historically is a weekly program: WWGP hosts a 4 day intensive program We started out doing 3 days, but after the first program(Community Classes) people didn’t want to leave, they wanted more. They literally asked for more in our evaluation.

HOW WE STARTED **Hosted WB program Saw the healing value in it **Funded by WI state DV support grant **Partnered with Glitc for doc grant **Wrote into SA and DV OVW grants **Wrote into VOCA grant, and all grants now

WWGP Programs Mending Broken Hearts 105 community members trained facilitators 392 community members completing program Celebrating Families 32 community members trained 14 family members completed Purpose of Life (youth) 28 community members trained 19 youth completing The main purpose of these programs is to offer a culturally-based way of healing from unresolved grief and inter-generational trauma’s, especially for Native people. All of the above programs are “White Bison” Curriculums that we have been trained in facilitating. They all have tools and exercises that will assist in creating healthy relationships and healing within for all participants. All programs are open to the community

ADDITIONS: Intakes: Entrance interview- MBH & CF & youth handout Confidentiality throughout program Surveys: Pre & post program Demographics from the beginning….>>>end Healing kits: Sweat lodge…..>>>>3rd day Pre & Post tests: 3 categories

FACILITATORS **4 facilitators who went through the White Bison training from W.B. **When they were trained they agreed to come back and facilitate 2 community classes (2 years). **Usually 2 male and 2 females for balance. **Signed facilitators contracts & expectations. Attend planning sessions, support groups-shared responsibility, receive stipend. Usually have 1 old timer, past facilitator When I do the “Entrance interview” for TOT’s, stress the need to come back.

PRE AND POST TESTING **PERSONEL AGENCY (PA)-One’s ability to actually carry out plans. Individuals with high levels of PA are more likely to understand consequences of actions. **RESEILENCY-Inner strength and ability to cope when faced with adversity. **SELF- EFFICACY –An individuals belief in their ability to accomplish something.

White Bison A vision of “Peace Respect and Belonging” Community Peer based training Local foods that support healing Sweat Healing Kits Support groups PASS AROUND HEALING Trainers are from the local Community 4 trainers for each training 2 male and 2 female and 2 support staff Food prepared on site by support staff Foods support wellness and from the local community Healing Kits are prepared for all participants Sweat and feast 4 Weekly follow up support groups exclusive for each group Monthly open follow up support for all

WAITLIST **Typically our groups have 12-16 in the programs, with a waitlist if there are cancellations. REFERRALS **Most of our referrals are coming from family members that have been through any of the programs.

SUPPORT GROUPS **WEEKLY For 4 weeks right after program Ends. **MONTHLY We had local speakers/ spiritual people – last Monday of every month.

LEARNINGS: Change schedule of sweat Burn out- facilitators Offer separate sweats Interpersonal relationships Additional days Burn out- facilitators Attendance at support groups Once trained- coming back Demographics at the end

SUCCESSES Repeaters—family Waitlists “The best experience I’ve ever had.” “I tell everyone I meet to go thru this program.” “Trust the process-trust yourself, don’t wait till you’re my age(50) to work on healing yourself.” “Thank you for showing me something that works.” “I can finally feel again, and have made some life long new friends.” Repeaters—family Waitlists Requests from other communities to bring program there They leave with a large support system, typically they come in with no support.

All of WWGP work is done from the age- old-tradition of midwifery; A life long, cradle to grave Women’s way of creating, preserving and holding community. -Alice Skenandore What words or images did you notice? What are you drawn to learn more? Where do you have questions? What significance do you see WWGP has in the community? How do you connect with this? What will you do differently as a result of hearing this information? Who would you suggest for us to share our story