About the Training
The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) curriculum was developed between 1990 and 1994 and has stood the test of time as an effective healing and planning model for tribal communities addressing impacts of historical and inter-generational trauma. Impacts include substance abuse, suicide, meth and other drug use, violence, poverty and more. This training will teach people how to facilitate a GONA for your tribe or agency.
Participants will go through the four foundational phases of the GONA - belonging, mastery, interdependence and generosity. A handout packet will be distributed to each participant that can be duplicated for GONA’s that will be implemented in your community.
Participants will go through the four foundational phases of the GONA - belonging, mastery, interdependence and generosity. A handout packet will be distributed to each participant that can be duplicated for GONA’s that will be implemented in your community.
Training Topics
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Who Should AttendYouth and adults working in the health, social service, youth, recreation, justice, elder and other programs serving community members who want to learn how to facilitate healing through the GONA, gathering of Native Americans.
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Meet the Trainers
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Theda New Breast, M.P.H.
Montana Blackfeet Theda is a founding board member and master trainer/facilitator for the Native Wellness Institute (NWI). She is one of the pioneers in the Native training field and an original committee member for the Men’s and Women’s Wellness gatherings. Theda has been a leading authority on Indigenous Cultural Resilience Internationally and has worked with over 500 Tribes in 34 years on Proactive Healing from Historical Trauma, Post Traumatic Growth, Mental Health Healing, and Sobriety/Recovery/Adult Child of Alcoholic (ACOA). She is the co-founder and co-writer of the GONA (Gathering of Native Americans) curriculum, one of the Ten Effective Practices and Models in Communities of Color. Theda has facilitated over 600 GONA’s. She lives on the Blackfeet Reservation in Northern Montana and is a Khan-nat-tso-miitah (Crazy Dog) Society member, herbalist, Sun dancer, Pipe Carrier, and lives as Niitsitapi, like all her Ancestors for thousands of years. In 2013, The Red Nations Film Festival Honored Theda with a Humanitarian Award for her lifetime of healing work with tribes and with a Red Nations statuette for her documentary short called, “Why The Women in My Family Don’t Drink Whiskey.” The Blackfeet Tribal Council has recognized her Leadership skills and appointed her unanimously to The Board of Trustees for Blackfeet Community College for years 2014-2017. |
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Marcus Red Thunder
Cree Marcus was raised on northern Cheyenne reservation in Montana and is a trainer and consultant with the Native Wellness Institute. He has over 20 years of experience in Native wellness with special emphasis on men’s, women’s, and youth leadership, experiential education and training with culture coordinators in therapeutic group home settings, cultural competency training, and healthy relationships training. Marcus is active in cultural, ceremonial and social activities and is a powwow announcer. He is the father of three sons and lives in Billings Montana. |
Cancelation Policy
Registrants who are unable to attend may send a replacement participant at no additional charge. Please provide us with the name of the replacement before the training. If a participant is unable to attend and no cancellation is made prior to the training or replacement is made, the FULL amount of registration will be charged as a no-show fee.
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South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89183 Phone: 702-797-8194 Fax: 702-797-8905 Email: reservations@southpointcasino.com www.southpointcasino.com Room Rates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - $80 Thursday - $95 GROUP CODE: NAT1020 The discounted room rate is $80.00(Monday - Wednesday) and $95.00 (Thursday) per night plus 13% tax. Mention the Native Wellness Institute to receive the discounted rate. The cutoff date to make room reservations is September 29, 2019. After this date room reservations will be accepted based on availability, and the discounted rate can not be guaranteed. The South Point Hotel Casino is located in the heart of the premiere southwest Las Vegas valley, just minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip. Some of the many amenities include a 16-screen Century Theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes. This distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch LED televisions, Point Plush mattresses and Wireless Fidelity throughout. A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country. South Point also has a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and dancing to live bands on weekends. |