The keynote address discusses the intergenerational impact of sexual abuse. It shares the speaker's personal experience with abuse as a child and young man, and how facing and healing from this abuse has helped him become more loving and forgiving. It also discusses two deeply painful instances of abuse against his daughter and sister, the challenges of pursuing justice, and his commitment to confronting and healing sexual abuse. The speaker expresses faith that the Creator will bring justice in its own time, and that through spiritual teachings and ceremonies, people can heal from even the deepest wounds of abuse.
Raise Your Voice is an awareness programme that focused on sexual assault and domestic violence in the digital platform as well through face to face interaction. This is exclusively powered by Leo Club of Colombo Knights.
This presentation was created for the Phase 01 of the programme and it was decided to be uploaded on the digital platform, Slideshare in order to reach more than 70 Million people across the world.
The prersentation focuses on sexual assault, what consent is, the stipulated laws and prevention and aftermath help.
Courtesy : http://www.actnowsrilanka.org/
Transgender Awareness In America Final Presentationjocasill
An exploration in to the world of gender identity and gender dysphoria. An explanation is given in terms of what is gender identity and some possible causes for gender identity disorder are given. Also an introduction is given to psychological approaches to counseling for transgendered clients. Furthermore, an introduction as to how social factors and family can directly have an impact on a transgendered person.
Article 1-26
Disclaimer:
All of the pictures and pieces of information on this site are the property of their respective owners. I do not hold any copyright in regards to these pictures and information. These pictures have been collected from different public sources including various websites, considered to be in the public domain. If anyone has any objection to display of any picture, image or information, it may be brought to my notice by sending an email (contact me) & the disputed media will be removed immediately, after verification of the claim.
Raise Your Voice is an awareness programme that focused on sexual assault and domestic violence in the digital platform as well through face to face interaction. This is exclusively powered by Leo Club of Colombo Knights.
This presentation was created for the Phase 01 of the programme and it was decided to be uploaded on the digital platform, Slideshare in order to reach more than 70 Million people across the world.
The prersentation focuses on sexual assault, what consent is, the stipulated laws and prevention and aftermath help.
Courtesy : http://www.actnowsrilanka.org/
Transgender Awareness In America Final Presentationjocasill
An exploration in to the world of gender identity and gender dysphoria. An explanation is given in terms of what is gender identity and some possible causes for gender identity disorder are given. Also an introduction is given to psychological approaches to counseling for transgendered clients. Furthermore, an introduction as to how social factors and family can directly have an impact on a transgendered person.
Article 1-26
Disclaimer:
All of the pictures and pieces of information on this site are the property of their respective owners. I do not hold any copyright in regards to these pictures and information. These pictures have been collected from different public sources including various websites, considered to be in the public domain. If anyone has any objection to display of any picture, image or information, it may be brought to my notice by sending an email (contact me) & the disputed media will be removed immediately, after verification of the claim.
The two perspectives differ from one another in that the functionalist works together for a solution and strays from change whereas the conflict leans toward change and expects society to cope and grow from it. The functionalist’s perspective of teamwork is productive, but the fear of change may prevent economic growth in spite of stability. The conflict’s perspective doesn’t fear to change the system up, but the hasty actions may have consequences that society itself won’t be able to cope with. Decisions are made without the approval and consensus of the majority of the population, which can prevent stability.
This PPT aims to provide knowledge and understanding about Research Gap, Types of Research Gap, What is Theoretical Gap, What is Empirical Gap, What is Methodological Gap, What is Practical Gap, What is Literature Gap, What is Historical Gap, What is Cultural Gap, What is
Conceptual Gap and Steps involved in Finding Each Research Gap and So on.
Epicureanism is a school of thought in ancient Greek philosophy founded by Epicurus of Samos. It holds the belief that the best life is one of long-term pleasure that results from moderation.
The depiction of erotic behavior(as in picture or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement is known as pornography.Pornography has wide range of effects on mind, relationship, working areas, etc.
Teaching notes from LTCi. Please note this is another controversial issue - the notes provided here do not intend to fully represent any "side" of this issue but simply aim to help students think and discuss it, and were used as part of a discussion in a classroom context.
The two perspectives differ from one another in that the functionalist works together for a solution and strays from change whereas the conflict leans toward change and expects society to cope and grow from it. The functionalist’s perspective of teamwork is productive, but the fear of change may prevent economic growth in spite of stability. The conflict’s perspective doesn’t fear to change the system up, but the hasty actions may have consequences that society itself won’t be able to cope with. Decisions are made without the approval and consensus of the majority of the population, which can prevent stability.
This PPT aims to provide knowledge and understanding about Research Gap, Types of Research Gap, What is Theoretical Gap, What is Empirical Gap, What is Methodological Gap, What is Practical Gap, What is Literature Gap, What is Historical Gap, What is Cultural Gap, What is
Conceptual Gap and Steps involved in Finding Each Research Gap and So on.
Epicureanism is a school of thought in ancient Greek philosophy founded by Epicurus of Samos. It holds the belief that the best life is one of long-term pleasure that results from moderation.
The depiction of erotic behavior(as in picture or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement is known as pornography.Pornography has wide range of effects on mind, relationship, working areas, etc.
Teaching notes from LTCi. Please note this is another controversial issue - the notes provided here do not intend to fully represent any "side" of this issue but simply aim to help students think and discuss it, and were used as part of a discussion in a classroom context.
Modern type of extemporaneous speaking wherein contestants are to choose questions out of the 25 briefcases given. Each briefcase contains a question for the contestants to answer. To understand more, just read the mechanics, explore more and have fun!
This is the presentation I give to the local Secondary School on Motivation and Achieving goals - I use it to tell a story about my life and how I have taken different paths to help young people take control of their lives
Siri C. Erickson, Pastor of Lifelong Learning at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN, responds to the actions of the ELCA's 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
Every Niche of Christ Honored (ENOCH) (Part 3 of 10)Daren Billy
A presentation service announcement (PSA) to potentially turn around the struggles of this fallen world through the help of God's beloved Son Jesus Christ's salvation through human repentance.
Cultural Competence and Professional TrainingIdentify the tr.docxdorishigh
Cultural Competence and Professional Training
Identify the training, workshop, seminar, or conference on diversity or cultural competence you selected for the Unit 9 study (name of association, title of training, dates of training, location, cost, et cetera).
Describe to your course room colleagues why this would be a worthwhile training to attend (learning opportunities, CEU credits available, networking opportunities, speakers, et cetera). Relate your comments to Sue (2010), Chapters 10–12.
Eleven
Bob’s Story
The Good Christian Son
In Bob’s story, we read about how he views himself in terms of his cultural identity and the shifts that occurred in his religious life as a result of family relationships, his move from the South to the Northeast, and his rethinking about his role in society and in his family. He also talks about what influenced his first career choice as a minister in an Evangelical Christian church and what accounted for the choice of his second career as a teacher. As you read, pay attention to his shifts in personality traits and in his understanding of his religious affiliation and other shifts in his cultural identity.
Bob’s Story
I must admit from the outset that I was somewhat surprised that someone would even be interested in my story. What I mean by that is, when it comes to culture, I have often thought that my life was somewhat void of it. I’m just another White guy with a job, two children, and a wife. I have nothing special to offer in the way of a story, right? Upon further reflection however, I have come to realize that one’s cultural heritage is not about being impressive or unique. Rather, each person’s history is more significant than he or she could ever imagine—at least to them and those with whom they come in contact. So what follows is a sort of snapshot of my life from a cultural and especially spiritual identity standpoint.
I was born in south central Kentucky in a town that had no hospital. My mother and father had to travel several miles to access the needed medical assistance for my birth. This was not seen as a hardship or even an inconvenience, just how things were. My mother was the daughter of a farmer and a homemaker. She was the youngest of 10 children, 7 daughters and 3 sons. My father was from another town in Kentucky. His father was a professional in the trucking industry, and his mother taught music. My father met my mother while he was a college student in music education. He was also the music director of the small rural Southern Baptist church where my mother was a member. My mother’s ethnic background was Scottish and Welsh. Her maiden name reflects that heritage. My father’s ethnic heritage was Dutch and English. I cannot say that these historical roots made any significant contributions to my cultural heritage. Both of my parents seemed to prefer the notion that they were “American,” and that was all that was necessary to them.
In the region of Kentucky I grew up in, people.
This presentation contains responses to the following question: "If there was one thing you wish your mother would have told you about sex and sexuality, what would ot have been?" I hope these responses add to the dialogue on parent-child communication around sex and sexuality. Enjoy!
Under the Rainbow Ranch Presentation OneSparkLaJMC
We would like to thank you for checking us out. We are starting from ground zero on this endeavor. This program that we are starting is unique in content. Though, there are many programs that serve our Veterans it has come to our attention that there are not many programs that help our children who have been abused. The Veterans will help these children who have lost all faith in adults and learn to trust them once again. This is where it helps our Veterans as well. Many Veterans come back from serving our country only to find out that what they once knew is no longer there. They lose their sense of self and many times their families. This is an unfortunate truth for our Veterans. The Veterans will 'adopt' these children as if they were their own. This is the benefit of our program. All who are involved gain something in the end. We have always been passionate about children and our military forces who have served our country. We feel it is now our time to give back to our community and hopefully help the ones who feel lost and alone. This all can be done with your contributions. Please do not forget to share this page with your friends. Also, please stop by Under the Rainbow's fan page and give it a like so that you may follow our progress of making all this a reality. Again, thank you for your support and I hope to be able to invite you to see what your contributions have done very soon.
Our Humble Regards,
Under the Rainbow Ranch
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March 4-6, 2022. The 4x4x48 Sacred Run and Staking Ceremony United Indigenous Peoples and US Special Forces Veterans in a Sacred Covenant for unprecedented, united action at the Sam Houston National Forest, Texas.
An introduction
Allow me to introduce to you Bangsa Adat AlifURU. We are the indigenous people of Maluku. Maluku
lies between the Philipins in the north and Australia in the south. We have lived here since time
immemorial. Maluku or accordance the Englisch spelling the Moluccan archipelago consist of 1000 small and large islands and atolls.
Dedicated to a culturally and spiritually respectful path that transcends assimilation, resignation, and conflict through the spirit of cooperation, healing, compassion, for creating partnerships with all members of the Human Family.
All people have a culture - it is how human beings make sense of the world. Culture shapes how people think, learn and solve problems, what they value and respect, what attracts and delights them, what offends them and their sense of what is appropriate. More deeply, culture is the soil in which the tree of identity has its roots. Culture is manifest in human relations, systems of organization, technology, arts, politics, economics, community life - all the things that humans do.
This Powerpoint is utilized by Dr. Lee Brown and Chief Phil Jr in Diversity Workshops for Communities, Governments, Organizations, and Corporations.
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPCeline George
The map views are useful for providing a geographical representation of data. They allow users to visualize and analyze the data in a more intuitive manner.
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
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The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
1.4 modern child centered education - mahatma gandhi-2.pptx
Sexual abuse speech
1. Four Worlds International Institute
For Human and Community Development
347 Fairmont Blvd.
Lethbridge, AB. T1K 7J8
Phil Lane, Jr. International Coordinator
Tele: (403) 320-7144
Fax: (403) 329-8383
E-Mail: 4worlds@uleth.ca
Web Site: WWW.FWII.NET
Keynote Address
By
Phil Lane, Jr.
“Healing the Intergenerational Impact of Sexual Abuse”
First International Indigenous Sexual Abuse Conference
February 13, 2003
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
My Very Beloved Relatives,
With a grateful heart, I want to extend a warm, respectful, and loving
greeting to each of you who have gathered here from the Four Directions to
further unite, deepen, expand, and empower the healing and transformation
process of our Indigenous peoples and communities. It is a great honor and
inspiration to be with you as we fulfill the sacred prophecies of the wise
visionaries and spiritual leaders of all our tribes and nations. These ancient
prophecies promised that after a very long, difficult, and painful wintertime
our Indigenous peoples would fully arise from the ashes of our suffering and
play a great role in the spiritual transformation of the entire human family.
Some years ago, a beloved tribal grandmother asked me a deep and
soul-searching question. “Grandson,” she asked me, “what is the most
sacred, the most powerful, the most holy of all ceremonies?” With some
pride, I began to recount some of the traditional tribal ceremonies that I had
participated in over the years. After I was finished describing the Sun
Dance, the Sweat Lodge, Vision Questing, and other ceremonies I had
participated in, she said, “Grandson, those are all very sacred, powerful, and
holy ceremonies, but the most sacred, the most powerful, the most holy of
2. all ceremonies is the birth of a child.” Then, she looked very, very deeply
into my eyes and soul and said, “Then who are you?” This beloved
grandmother strongly reminded me that this very holy and intimate
ceremony and creative power that ignites human life is equally sacred and
must be respected at all times.
My relatives, it is very clear – from the widespread sexual abuse
including the increasing sexual abuse of children, incest, pornography, rape,
child and adult prostitution, HIV/AIDS, and gang rape found within our
communities – that when this creative power and sacred expression of life is
abused, in any manner, the very foundation of ourselves and our
communities is damaged and destroyed, sometimes for generations.
Through this heartbreaking abuse our trust, faith, and belief in
ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and in life, itself, is broken.
Our inner most purity, innocence, and unconditional love is brutally and
shamefully betrayed and violated. We become our own abusers and the
abusers of others. We become isolated and alone. We are filled with fear
and shame. We no longer care if we live or die. Some of us even chose
suicide rather than live any longer in the intense and overwhelming pain and
suffering that seems to have no end. This is what has happened to many of
us gathered here today, our loved ones, and countless others who feel
hopeless, alone, and in deep pain and suffering throughout our sacred lands.
With great respect and great honor for the pain and suffering of your
own lives and the lives of your loved ones and your great love, courage, and
determination, for coming here and addressing the many forms of sexual
abuse that are destroying the Sacred Heart of our communities, I have been
praying and reflecting for some months on what I could share with you
about the realities and healing of sexual abuse that would support and
empower our healing journey.
Do I share with you my own great heartfelt belief in the beauty,
healing, and unifying power of our cultures, spiritual traditions, sacred
prophecies, the sacredness of who we are as human beings and the great
healing power of this spiritual understanding? Do I share an overview of the
growing challenges of sexual abuse in our communities and steps on our
healing journey we can take to completely transform this profound sickness
into healthy, prosperous, and unified human beings and communities? Or
do I tell you of my own personal experience of sexual abuse over the
2
3. generations and how facing, confronting, and healing this abuse has helped
me to become a more loving, understanding, and forgiving human being?
One evening as I prayed about what I should share with you, it
became very clear to me that I needed to follow the healing path, walk my
talk, and share some of the details of my own personal experience of the
impact of sexual abuse over the years, as well as, some of the collective
steps we can take together, in unity, to heal ourselves and our communities.
For a fundamental key to healing and transforming sexual abuse is being
completely open, truthful, and honest about our own experience, no matter
how painful and fearful this disclosure may be. As a wise elder once told
me, “If we can feel the pain and shame we can heal it, if we can talk and
share about it we can understand and transform it.”
Both my parents attended residential schools. As a result of their
abusive experiences in residential schools and the world they grew up in, I
also experienced physical and emotional abuse growing up as a child. By
the time I was twelve I had become so physically and emotionally tough that
when I cut the meaty part of my hand almost to the bone with an axe, I felt
no pain. I was so proud of myself for being able to go beyond the pain that I
walked up to my father and said with big a smile, “I cut myself.” When the
doctor sewed me up, I refused to take anything for pain so I could show my
father how tough I had become. Because of their own experiences and
teachings growing up, my parents never discussed anything sexual with me
or my sister. When I asked my parents where a baby came from it took
months for them to give me some sort of vague answer.
At 12, with no real understanding of sexuality, an older boy from the
European tribes, who I deeply trusted and admired, got me drunk for the first
time and sexually abused me. Afterwards, I became so angry, drunk, and
sick that I tore up the basement he abused me in, vomited everywhere and
eventually passed out. (I realize now that, in a way, this was my first act of
protesting and showing resistance against sexual abuse.) The next day the
older boy who I loved and admired so very much completely rejected me.
This experience of sexual abuse at the beginning of my life as a young man
hurt me very, very deeply.
As I understood more and more the reality of what had happened to
me, combined with intergenerational trauma and the impact of the sick,
racist materialistic world that surrounds us, my shame, fear, self-hatred,
3
4. rage, and anger grew stronger and stronger. As a young man I abused
myself with alcohol and drugs. I would strike out with violence if I felt the
slightest disrespect. One time I beat up a 6’5” United States Marine, who
had just returned from the Vietnam war, so badly, that they had to remove
his eye. Since everyone present witnessed that he started the fight I was
exonerated of any responsibility for the result of my actions. I had abusive
and unhealthy relationships with women. Sometimes I didn’t care if I lived
or died. Because I felt so ashamed, fearful, unworthy, and untrusting, I was
unable to have trusting, honest, warm, and loving relationship with others. I
couldn’t talk to anyone about any of my feelings.
The only thing that saved me from a painful, premature death was the
spiritual and cultural teachings, prophecies, and stories of the greatness of
our Indigenous peoples that were shared with me by my beloved parents,
elders, extended family, and loved ones, as well as learning about the
spiritual teachings and prophecies of the great Spiritual Teachers who have
always guided the human family. Although our family was impacted by
intergenerational trauma in some parts of our life, I was very, very fortunate
never to hear my father raise his voice to my mother, hit her, or even swear
in her presence. I also have always known deep in my heart that my parents
have always loved my sister and I more than life itself.
Through these spiritual influences, in 1968 in the darkest heart of my
suffering, I had a spiritual experience that inspired and empowered me to
free myself from my self-destructive addictions and to do all I could to serve
the people and the Creator. During this time of spiritual renewal I met a
beautiful and deeply spiritual woman who I believed I would be with
forever. We had a beautiful wedding and for two years our life together was
filled with great spiritual love, unity, growth, and beauty. In our mutual
desire to be of service to Indigenous people and the human family we left
our jobs, our home, and all our possessions and traveled to Bolivia. We
found Bolivia to be a sacred land filled with millions of Indigenous relatives
of great spiritual strength, understanding, and wisdom. In a way it was like
going back in history when our own Indigenous peoples of North America
retained our spiritual purity, innocence, and unified strength. I never wanted
to leave, but the Creator had another plan.
Every morning, I would pray and meditate for an hour.
Understanding that forgiveness was a primary key to my healing, I began to
pray fervently to the Creator to learn to be forgiving. After two months of
4
5. praying with all my heart to learn to be forgiving, my beloved wife was
brutally raped by the drunken son of a wealthy Bolivian family known for
their long-time brutality and abuse of Indigenous peoples. Even though I
confronted him shortly after the rape and he was arrested, because of the
wealth and power of his family and the corrupt justice system, he was
eventually set free.
It was through this experience I realized that along with our own hurt,
pain, and rage, we also carry the hurt, pain, and rage of our ancestors. For
when this happened it seemed like the unresolved hurt, pain, and rage of a
1000 generations come boiling up inside me. My faith in the Creator was
shattered. I spoke to the Creator with great anger and bitterness. “I tried
with all my heart to serve the people and fulfill your sacred teachings! How
could you allow my beloved wife to be brutally raped? What did she do to
deserve this brutal attack on her sacredness as a woman and a human
being?” In the end, our relationship was destroyed by this brutal act of rape
and all the pain and hurt that comes with such an experience.
To all my beloved relatives here today that have also suffered from
rape and other abuse, I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that
I stand with you and will support you, in all your efforts for justice and
healing. Together, through our unified prayers and the power and strength of
our Creator, we will live to see the day, either in this world or the world to
come, when rape and other forms of abuse will be completely eliminated
from our sacred lands forever.
It was through this very painful and heartbreaking experience of rape
and other abuse I have faced in my life that the Creator taught me some very
important spiritual principles.
Be careful what you pray for, the Creator will always
answer your prayers. Sometimes the answer will
come in ways we don’t expect, but the Creator will
never gives us a test we can’t pass, as long as we
keep praying and remain faithful.
We cannot learn to be a truly forgiving human being
unless we are treated with great injustice and with
hurtful actions we don’t deserve. The only one who
5
6. can teach the person with the whip what true love and
forgiveness are about, is the person being whipped.
When we ask the Creator for strength, we will receive
tests and difficulties to make us strong. When we ask
for wisdom, the Creator will give us many problems
to solve. When we ask for great courage, the Creator
will give us heroic obstacles to overcome. If it were
not for tests, how would the courageous be
distinguished from the cowardly? Without tests, how
would the precious diamond be distinguished from
the worthless pebble? For we can not be a good
leader of warriors unless we have been in front of the
fiercest battles and received the deepest wounds.
And, finally, as our wise spiritual leaders have always
taught us, “Do you think you can say you believe in
the Creator and will not be tested? For when the cry
of truth is raised, so is the cry of denial.”
With these, and other spiritual understandings and practices to support
me, I have had the opportunity to work on the healing of many forms of
abuse, both personally and with the thousands of our Indigenous peoples that
I have had the honor to listen to and heal with over the past thirty-five years.
The most difficult challenges of sexual abuse that I have ever had to
confront and deal with personally, was the sexual abuse of my nine-year-old
daughter and the sexual assault of a very dear sister. The man who sexually
assaulted my sister, I had previously helped to get sober and on his healing
journey working with young people. I loved him like a son. He called my
parents, grandfather and grandmother, the sister he sexually assaulted, his
aunt and me his uncle. The man who sexually abused my daughter was the
husband of a dear friend and spiritual sister who I worked with at the
University of Lethbridge.
What was most hurtful about both these experiences, as I’m sure
many of you fully understand, was that the sexual abuse was done by
Aboriginal relatives that I deeply loved and trusted and who claimed to
believe in and practice our spiritual and cultural traditions.
6
7. I found that this profound betrayal of love and trust, followed by a
complete denial of what they had done, ignited a rage and a desire for
revenge so deep within me, that without our sacred spiritual teachings,
healing ceremonies, and the heartfelt counsel of my father and other wise
elders, I could have very easily savagely killed both these people and the
other abusers who supported them in their lies and deceit. When these
devastating incidents occurred I vowed to the Creator that I would do
everything within my power, no matter how long it took or what attacks,
however vicious, were directed at me, to ensure that my beloved daughter
and sister got the justice and healing they deserved. I also vowed I would do
everything within my power to confront, prevent, and heal sexual abuse for
the rest of my life, forever.
Both abusers were given the full opportunity to avoid legal action and
travel the healing path, including the spiritual support of respected elders
and a restorative justice process. Not only did they completely deny and lie
about what they had done, but they did everything within their power to
destroy the credibility and lives of my beloved daughter, sister, myself, and
anyone else who dared to support us.
Both of these men were friends and joined forces in their efforts. In
the end, after seven years of pursuing justice and healing, the man who
sexually assaulted my sister, who has since become a comedian, finally
pleaded guilty to the sexual assault in a New Brunswick court. Although he
received a conditional sentence from the court, he never apologized for his
actions or did anything to make amends. The man who sexually abused my
daughter eventually fled Canada and returned to the United States.
Even though these issues have not been completely resolved, I have
complete faith that the Creator’s Divine Justice will eventually deal with
both of these men and those that supported them in their abuse, lies, and
deceit, in either this world or the world to come. As a wise elder once told
me, “the Grinding Wheel of the Creator’s Justice grinds slowly, but very,
very exceedingly fine.” At the same time, I know that our Beloved Creator
is the ever-forgiving and no matter what abuse we have done in our life, if
we are sincere in our prayers and desire for forgiveness and we try the best
we can to make amends to those we have abused, the Creator will always
forgive us.
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8. It was during this very difficult process of trying to find healing and
justice that I discovered, just as we are coming together at this conference
for strength, healing, mutual support, and networking, there are also
informal networks of abusers who support one another’s abusive behaviors
across our sacred lands. These abusers, including some of our own political
and spiritual leaders, are so spiritual sick that they will do anything within
their power and authority, no matter how dishonest, unjust, or damaging to
others, to try to cover up their abusive behaviors and the abusive behaviors
of their friends and relatives and stop any efforts toward healing and
reconciliation.
I have found that the large majority of this abusive behavior and
denial is a direct result of the intergenerational impact of residential schools
and the reality that along with abusers in authority, there were also older and
stronger children, who were abused, that were allowed or encouraged to
physically and sexually abuse younger or physically weaker students. This
type of abuse happened with both girls and boys.
In one related case, on the Blood Reserve, the high school gymnasium
is still named after the very man who sexually abused, sometimes brutally,
boys under his care at the St. Mary’s Residential School. You can just
imagine the feelings of hurt, betrayal, and injustice that those who were
abused by this man and those who witnessed or know about this abuse
experience every time they see or think about this gymnasium. Some of the
boys he abused, and who then brutally abused other boys, have continued in
their abusive patterns, in one form or another, to this very day. In fact, some
of these men helped and supported the lies, deceit, and attacks of the men
who sexually abused my sister and daughter, even though my daughter is a
member of the Blood Tribe. In fact, one of the Blood Sun Dance leaders
who I went to for spiritual assistance, turned around and made the abuser of
my daughter one of his Sun Dance leaders. I have also found very similar
scenarios, realities, and obstacles to the healing of our Indigenous people
throughout Canada and beyond.
On the other hand, when we look around this room at the heartfelt
dedication and commitment, of each one of you to ending and healing sexual
abuse and the many other people and communities, across Canada who are,
also, dedicated to the healing of themselves and our communities, there is
absolutely no question, that through our spiritual unity and the Creator’s
Love and Grace, we will be able to eliminate all forms of abuse across our
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9. sacred lands. In this healing journey we will rebuild our Nations, even
stronger than before, as prophesized by the wise visionaries and spiritual
leaders of all our tribes and nations.
There are four very important actions that I would like to share with
you for your consideration, that we need to take together, in complete unity,
at this stage of our healing journey. These actions make the healing and
rebuilding of ourselves, our communities, and our nations a full reality.
They are justice, continued support, healing and restoration, and love and
appreciation.
First, I would ask again from the bottom of my heart and soul, as I
stated at the first National Residential School Conference in February, 2001,
here in Edmonton, that we as individuals, First Nations, Metis communities,
and regional and national organizations, including the Assembly of First
Nations, firmly stand together in complete and full unity, and do whatever is
necessary to ensure that any Government of Canada or Church action for
healing and justice addresses all residential school abuse, including
emotional, educational, physical, cultural, and sexual abuse and the loss of
our beloved languages. Only addressing sexual and physical abuse, the
current legal position being taken by the Government of Canada and the
Churches, will not fully and completely address the healing and justice
issues caused by Residential Schools. As well, this very limited and unjust
approach will only further hurt and divide us. All our relatives who suffered
abuse in Residential Schools need a full apology and compensation in some
respectful manner. This is not a unified position against anyone, including
the Government of Canada and the Churches, but the collective vision and
strong unified action that is required for the full healing, restoration, health,
and prosperity of our Indigenous peoples, and thus all Canadians. For as we
know, “The hurt of one, is the hurt of all and the honor and healing of one is
the honor and healing of all.” In essence, there can not be full healing and
justice without the full recognition and resolution of the injustice and abuse
committed against our Indigenous people.
At the same time, it has been my strong experience in my healing
work over the decades, that money, by itself, will not stop the pain, abuse,
and our addictions. Only healing, reconciliation, and ultimate forgiveness
can bring true happiness and spiritual fulfillment. This is why, after some of
our relatives have won their residential school cases and received
compensation, they have committed suicide or completely wasted their
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10. money away. In the end they were in greater pain, anguish, and suffering
than before. Therefore, we also need to encourage all our relatives who are
pursuing legal justice for their abuse to begin and deepen their healing
journey before they go to court or participate in any alternative dispute
resolution process.
Second, in order to further expand and deepen the needed healing of
our Indigenous peoples, each one of us, our communities, and our provincial
and national organizations need to do whatever is necessary, to ensure that
the Aboriginal Healing Foundation is not terminated and receives, at least,
another $350 million and an expanded mandate to address all forms of
residential school abuse, not just physical and sexual abuse. As well, the
$150 million that was just announced for the restoration of our languages
should be channeled through the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and not
Heritage, Canada. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation, governed and
guided by Aboriginal people, has demonstrated over the past five years that
they would do a much better job of administering, organizing, and
integrating these needed resources for healing and restoration programs. In
this manner, the resources would be able to be integrated into ongoing
Residential School Healing Projects in a holistic, unified, and supportive
process.
It takes at least five years for any institution that is brand new to fully
function, especially with $350 million to expend fairly, justly, and
responsibly. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation most certainly has had
growing pains, as is naturally expected, but they have managed to fund
almost 1200 healing grants in Aboriginal communities, and have managed
our resources in a very transparent and very fiscally responsible manner. As
well, all the work of the Foundation has been governed and guided by
Aboriginal people. In fact, in terms of administration and management,
program delivery, and fiscal responsibility, the federal and provincial
governments have a lot to learn about how to best serve Aboriginal people
from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
The Aboriginal Healing Foundation and other similar institutional
developments that are governed and guided by Aboriginal people should be
encouraged and further supported, not terminated. To allow the termination
of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation at this time in our healing journey,
would not only be grossly near-sighted, ill-advised, and unjust, it would be a
major set back for the healing of ourselves and our communities. If the
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11. Government of Canada and our political leaders are concerned about
improving governance and rebuilding our nations, then much, much more
not less funding needs to be directed towards healing and capacity building.
Increasing resources to support the healing and development of our
Indigenous peoples will accomplish far more than wasting resources in
political battles over a foreign political system that does not serve us. Only
when each of us, our families, and our communities are healed from the
inside out, will we be able to manifest good governance, true participatory
democracy, and nation building. With this inner unity we will be able, as
spiritually and physically strong and healthy people, to completely transform
the materialistic systems that surround us into systems of governance and
programming that are culturally and spiritually harmonious.
Third, utilizing the sexual abuse healing models developed by
Indigenous communities, like Alkali Lake, British Columbia, and Hollow
Water, Manitoba, we need to develop as soon as a possible formal healing
and restorative justice processes in each of our communities to assist both
those relatives who were sexually abused and those that did the abusing
toward healing, reconciliation, justice, and ultimate forgiveness. If an
abuser is willing to follow the path of healing and restorative justice, we
should give them all the love, forgiveness, compassion, and support we can.
If they refuse to take the healing path, then we need to pursue justice through
every legal means at our disposal.
When our tribes and nations were still spiritually and socially strong,
and fully understood the devastating impact of sexual and physical abuse,
abusers of women and children were dealt with very severely, including
castration, death, or banishment. As an example, my great-great grandfather,
Owl Man, was told in a great vision that he would kill four men justifiably in
his role as Head Chief and Leader of the Holy Man’s Society of the White
Swan Dakotas. Two of the men he killed were husbands who abused their
wives, who were Owl Man’s sister and daughter. Part of the fulfillment of
this vision is described in Singing for a Spirit written by my uncle, Vine
Deloria Jr.
Owl Man was informed that his son-in-law had abused his daughter
again. Without saying a word he picked up his shotgun, mounted his horse
and rode to his son-in-laws teepee. He walked inside and said to his son-in-
law, “I warned you three times not to abuse my daughter and now I am
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12. going to kill you.” With that Owl Man pulled the trigger of his shotgun and
dispatched his son-in-law to the spiritual world.
A similar event occurred with a brother-in-law who abused his sister.
After both killings, as was his responsibility as a hereditary chief and
spiritual leader, he went to a hill overlooking his camp. As was tribal
protocol, Owl Man waited there all night, unarmed, for anyone who believed
that he had killed the men unjustly. On both occasions Owl Man returned to
his relatives at sunrise, with sorrow but thanksgiving to the Creator, that he
had protected his relatives, for a little longer, from the great spiritual
sickness foretold in his great vision, that would almost overwhelm our
Indigenous people until the coming of the Fourth Generation.
One way or the other, for the sake of ourselves, our beloved children
and our future generations, sexual abuse in all its forms needs to be faced,
confronted, healed, forgiven if possible, and completely eliminated from our
Sacred Lands forever.
Fourth, we need to take time, each and everyday to deeply love and
appreciate our own self and loved ones and give our heartfelt love and
thanksgiving to the Creator of All Good Things for the great blessing of
being on our healing journey, supported by the Creator’s Divine promise and
spiritual assurance that we will ultimately have complete victory over all
forms of abuse.
In conclusion, so we can again remember one of our primary purposes
for our being here together, our very beloved children and grandchildren, I
want to read a letter to you written by a little girl of 11 years to the man who
sexually abused her. This letter has given me great strength, encouragement,
and inspiration over the years when I felt like giving up in my efforts to
address and heal sexual abuse. It was written by my beloved daughter, who
has given me her permission to share it with you. I share this letter with the
deep and heartfelt prayer that all of us and our loved ones will be given the
love, courage, strength, and understanding by our Beloved Creator to stand
up together and ensure that everyone of our children who has been abused,
in any manner, has the full support they need from each of us to break the
silence and begin their journey to full and complete healing and that we will
live to see the day when our children will never be abused again in any
manner.
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13. January 31, 1994
Dear George,
With what you have done to me, I want you to
know you have brought shame onto your family and
before I die I will prove you have done this to me and
other girls. After I had told about this I was ashamed
I let you do this to me and was embarrassed but now
when I wake up I am understanding you are a sick
man and was acting like nothing was wrong. Now all
my friends know and support me. I just want you to
know and think every time you are introducing your
self don’t forgot to say your a child molester, every
time you are causing my father problems & are
denying everything I want you to feel guilt, and every
time you are thinking of molesting another girl my
family will be watching your every move. I also want
you to know you to know you have perspired my
father to stop all sexul abussing.
Deloria Lane Many Grey Horses
P.S (Get a life!!) As you said in a paper you
wrote I was abanded. Well if you go to any of my
teachers I have good grades and no sense of
abandonment. Why don’t you just worry about your
own kid and him being abanded. Every thing I wrote
in my last letter to Lenore was true!
Today, Deloria is completing her second year at the University of
California, Berkeley. Along with being a very active member of the Native
American Student Association and a member of the cross country and track
teams, Deloria has maintained almost a straight 4.0 average including
straight “As” during her last semester. This past summer at the North
American Indigenous Games, Deloria won gold medals in the 400m, 800m,
1500m, and a silver medal in the 200m. Next weekend we will speak
together in Northern California at a healing gathering of Indigenous peoples
and share our stories of intergenerational trauma and healing. Deloria has
not forgotten her promise to her abuser.
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14. My beloved sister Susan continues her healing work with our
Indigenous people and is building a healing center. Every time I have the
blessing of being with her, she seems to become more and more loving,
gentle, and wise. Her heart is thankful, happy, and at peace.
For myself, I am very thankful to the Creator for all that I have
experienced in my life. I have a very beautiful and loving wife, a young son
of thirty-two months, four wonderful daughters, three very devoted and
loving son-in-laws, three grandsons, and another grandchild on the way. My
beloved mother and father are strong and healthy and my extended family
supports me in all my efforts. Through the love and grace of the Creator I
also have many treasured relatives from the Four Directions. From the
bottom of my heart I give thanksgiving to the Creator of All Good Things
for teaching me through all of my life’s experiences, that everything that
comes into our lives, is a gift from the Creator, for our spiritual growth and
perfecting, and, as well, for always nourishing, guiding, and protecting my
loved ones.
From the bottom of my heart and soul I want to thank each one of you
and the organizers of this Historic First National Indigenous Sexual Abuse
Conference, the Mikisew Cree First Nation and all those other relatives who
have supported this great initiative for your love, patience, kindness, and
understanding in allowing me to share some of my own personal healing
journey, as well as, taking the time to respectfully listen to my thoughts,
experiences, and perspectives. May we all leave here in spiritual unity and
return home in safety, with a strong, faithful, and happy heart, wise thoughts
and a full dedication and commitment to the great healing journey that lies
before each of us. In the words my Dakota elders always use when
completing a full statement of their heart and mind to our beloved relatives,
Shunkmanu He Miye Lo!
Chanupa Sapa He Miye Lo!
My sacred names are, A Leader of Warriors Who Takes the
Enemies Best Horses and a Sacred Black Pipe Born of Thunder,
Lightening, and Rain
and I Stand Fully Responsible Before the Creator For All My
Words and Actions.
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