One of the most under-reported media stories that remains to be told is the past and ongoing sexual abuse of children. In response, some brave people – including Elrae Dawn Potts — have worked hard to organize the HOPE Conference to address the issue. Here is a flier on the HOPE Conference, scheduled in Rapid City, S.D. Check it out for a full look at all the speakers, etc.
I’ve included an excerpt from the flier:
The HOPE (Healing for our People Everywhere) Conference is scheduled to take place in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn on December 18, 19, and 20, 2009; coinciding with the Lakota Nation Invitational. The purpose of this conference is to begin an open dialogue and the healing process by addressing the silent epidemic of child sexual trauma which has plagued Indian Country for generations. This conference is open to the public. The conference is being organized by a consortium national and community leaders,experts, and activists.
The epidemic of sexual trauma and sexual abuse is well documented statistically and yet remains prevalent among Native people. Karen Artichoker (Oglala) states: “It’s clear that tribal, state and federal institutions that have a responsibility to respond have not prioritized the issue.”
The HOPE Conference endeavors to respond by calling upon Indian Country’s finest experts, community leaders, artists/activists, health care professionals and survivors to bring this subject to the circle for an open dialogue, to consider solutions and to begin the healing process.
Let the healing begin.
Jodi Rave