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Portland Oregon
Healing children of alcoholics
There's a strong sense of community in the Portland area!
The
Coordinators and the many volunteers and organizations that
supported and assisted them when the Sacred Hoop came to Portland,
Oregon were immediately rewarded for their efforts when 275
People showed up for the Wellbriety Conference that began
on the evening of Monday, June 10th. The White Bison staff
was equally thrilled and excited by the presence of so many
people!
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Five
generations of women carry in the Sacred Hoop during the
Entrance Ceremony at the Hoop Journey visit in Portland,
Oregon on June 11th. |
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A
son reacts to the 911 call depicted on the "Healing a
Nation" video, and then with his support, his mother speaks
out as well. The 911 call on the video is the tape recording
of a young girl desperately reporting her mother's beating
to police. |
Seated
at beautifully decorated round tables, with a circle of chairs
around each of these tables, the people gathered in the spacious
room of the conference center. Looking down from the stage,
all those round tables reminded me of the lodges of our ancestors
when they would gather long ago to hear the Elders and talk
about what was needed for their village and community. There
is much talk in Indian Country about Cycles, Circles, and
the Ancestors. I'm quite sure that the Spirit of the Ancestors
was well pleased to see this Gathering for Wellbriety on these
spring days in Portland.
The
Cycle of Life, the continuation from one generation to the
next, was visible during the Entry of the Sacred Hoop of 100
Eagle Feathers as it was carried by 5 generations of women
from one family. When the Sacred Hoop entered the room, the
voices of the women singing with the Drum echoed the purpose
of this JourneyHealing Native Women and Children.
The
agenda distributed by Coordinator Jacquie Mercer and Co-Coordinator
Teresa Monteverdi described the purpose of the Conference:
"We must not forget the Children of Alcoholics. They
are often neglected first by their parents and then by The
Recovery Community. Too often they think "It's their
Fault". This special Gathering can be an opportunity
to share the strength, hope and experience of those who are
the Children of Alcoholics."
| "Looking
down from the stage, all those round tables reminded me
of the lodges of our ancestors when they would gather
long ago to hear the Elders and talk about what was needed
for their village and community." |
"Our
focus is on women who experienced a childhood with a parent
who was an alcoholic," said Ms. Monteverdi. "Our
hope is to leave folks with the message of how you might journey
through that and come to a place where you know that it wasn't
your fault."
This
Gathering was most certainly that opportunity to share. Once
the Sacred Hoop was brought into the center of the Circle,
Don Coyhis shared about the Wellbriety Movement and about
the first two Journeys. When Don talked about the dedication
of this Third Journey to the Healing of Women and Children
there was thunderous applause. The lights were soon dimmed
and the documentary film "Healing of a Nation," which chronicles
the first two Journeys, was projected onto a big screen so
that it could be viewed by all of those gathered. When the
lights came back up, there was not a dry eye in the house.
Don
asked "Does anyone have any comments or anything they would
like to say at this time about the video or the gathering?"
Hands went up. People stood to share their feelings. One
commented, "I've been in therapy for 3 months and not been
able to share what I've shared in this circle tonight."
| "The
Cycle of Life, the continuation from one generation to
the next, was visible during the Entry of the Sacred Hoop
of 100 Eagle Feathers as it was carried by 5 generations
of women from one family." |
For
many, the 911 call on the documentary film was the catalyst
for an unexpected healing thru sharing on this first night
together. Over and over again we heard, "That could have
been me on that 911 call... I grew up in a home just like
that." After briefly sharing her story, one woman said,
"I think it hurts me most what I did to my daughter. She is
19 now, but not long ago she said to me, 'Mom, do you remember
when you were the baby--and I was the Mom?'" Many of us
nodded. We knew what her daughter meant by that.
It
says on the video, "We have children taking responsibility
for children. That's not their responsibility! It's the responsibility
of the parents." Yes. Many of us knew what that daughter
meant when she asked, "Do you remember when I was the Mom
and you were the baby?"
| The
women's panel discussion held during the morning of the
Hoop Journey visit in Portland. The women Elders share
their stories of recovery, inspiration, and hope. |
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| The
youth panel discussion held during the afternoon of the
Hoop Journey visit in Portland. |
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It
is said that when we are in pain, when we are hurting or being
hurt, our tears taste bitter, salty. But when we are healing,
when the pain is coming out, the tears taste sweet. There
were many sweet tears shed on this opening night of the Wellbriety
Conference in Portland.
The
following morning, Tuesday, June 11, we were fed a delicious
breakfast to begin our day. The Sacred Hoop entered for this
full day of activities, led by a procession of Veterans carrying
flags, followed by the Sacred Hoop and accompanied by the
Drum. The women of the Drum honored the Veterans and the Sacred
Hoop with the Flag Song and other Prayer Songs. There were
225 People from the Four Directions--Red, Yellow, Black and
White. As they stood to show their respect, the voices of
the Women's Drum Group united all those present and called
us back to the Circle.
Once
again Don Coyhis shared about the Prophecies of our Ancestors
and there was much agreement when Don said "...we are living
in the time of the prophecies." Everyone was excited about
this time of great opportunity for all People to heal. He
talked about the programs that are available from White Bison,
and also organizations such as Al-Anon, with whom White Bison
is partnering during this Journey of Healing Native Women
and Children. Don also spoke about NARA--Portland's Native
American Rehabilitation Association, and other local organizations.
There was much excitement and anticipation about the new book
The Red Road to Wellbriety, which will soon be available.
Many people stopped by the products table to sign up for the
book. The teachings were focused on Children of Alcoholics
and our children of tomorrow, our Daughters of Tradition and
Sons of Tradition.
| "The
women of the Drum honored the Veterans and the Sacred
Hoop with the Flag Song and other Prayer Songs. There
were 225 People from the Four Directions--Red, Yellow,
Black and White." |
After
a short break, we heard the stories from the Women's Panel.
Next came lunch. Then in the afternoon we heard from the Youth.
All of the stories were powerful.
Some
words from the Women and Youth on these two panels seems the
best way to end this Story of the Portland Gathering.
"It
was hard for me. I knew I was different. My foster family
was non-Indian. When I would go back to visit on the Rez,
they would call me ‘white woman'. It would really hurt my
feelings. I think that is how I picked up taunting people--hurting
them before they could hurt you. I think we do this to one
another, Indian to Indian, because we are in so much pain.
We need to healto love one another."
"My
heart is my life blood. I don't want to put it in a cage or
in a box. I want to open it upfor the people."
"We've
got to let go of the past. I really like this-Wiping of
the Tears. Letting Go!"
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