I recently delivered a powerful, motivating, inspiring, educational and enthusiastic keynote and training for a fantastic First Nations Caregivers/Foster Parents Conference in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Canada. I had a fantastic time and felt so connected to my First Nations brothers and sisters. I have endless passion as I share a message of hope, strength and faith to bring awareness and positive change so that the cycles of abuse, suicide, child abandonment, violence and poverty will eventually diminish. Some of the great break out sessions were about spirituality and personal development, holistic parenting, why are we foster parents and caregivers, energy healing, wellness and self care for the foster family, grieving process in the foster care system and never give up for the foster parent. I had the most wonderful time and they were so accepting and connected to my message of H.O.P.E. (Helping One Person Everyday)
I recently had one of the greatest moments in my life when I was honored by Felix, a First Nations Ojibway. After I had delivered my keynote address, he was so inspired and offered me a ceremonial drum in front of the conference audience. Felix did not hold back his emotions and wisdom. I have so much respect for him. He felt the spirit had led him to speak. As he gave me this special ceremonial drum, he said to me “The spirit will never lie to you. The spirit will always reveal itself to you. This drum has the spirit. It is the heartbeat of the people. The pounding of the drum gathers others through our heart. Be one with the drum.” This hand drum has been used for social and ceremonial events. The drum was passed down by a member of the Cree tribe in British Columbia, Canada. This drum is made of deer hide. The deer teaches us to love. The wood in the drum represents the tree. The tree is rooted in the community meaning to be honest and come together with love and honesty. The handle of the drum represents the medicine wheel. Felix gave me braided sweet grass. When lit, the smoke purifies our spirit to speak clearly, see clearly and hear clearly. Sweet grass is used for blessing and considered sacred.
Here are some of the great First Nations Agencies that were represented at the conference where I delivered my inspiring keynote speech:
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada Agency Chiefs Child and Family Services
Ahtahkakoop Child and Family Services
Qu’Appelle Child and Family Services
STC Health and Family Services
Sturgeon Lake Child and Family Services
Touchwood Child and Family Services
Wahkotowin Child and Family Services
Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services
Carrier Sekani Child and Family Services
Athabasca Denesuline Child and Family Services
Battleford Tribal Council Human Services
Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Child and Family Services Agency
Meadow Lake Tribal Council Health and Social Development Authority
Montreal Lake Child and Family Agency
Nicapanak Centre Child and Family Services
Onion Lake Family Services
Peter Ballantyne Child and Family Services
