6th Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum

“The Emerging Force of Native Women in Politics”

May 8, 2008

8:30 a.m. Opening Comments, Senator Claudia Kauffman & Iris Friday, Native Action Network Co-founders

Opening Prayer

Andrina Abada, American Indian Women’s Service League

Welcome Address, Fawn Sharp, President, Quinault Nation

9:00 a.m. “Looking at 2008 & Beyond” This panel discussion explores the critical leadership contributions of Native women in addressing key issues impacting family, youth, elders, culture, environment, and health. What are the key issues impacting our communities in 2008 & beyond and how do we as Native women create and support political platforms that will advance our issues and support our communities? These topics will be explored in more detail during this discussion.

§ Julie Johnson (Lummi)

§ Pearl Baller (Quinault)

§ Lona Wilbur (Swinomish)

§ Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce)

9:45 a.m. Keynote: Mary Kim Titla

10:15-11:00 a.m. Workshops 1A, 1B, & 1C – see page 5 for description

1A) Leadership: “Healthy, Holistic Leadership,” June Grant

1B) Empowerment: “Preserving and Protecting your Family History for Future Generations,” Dr. Veronica Tiller, Bow Arrow Publishing

1C) Youth: “Telling your Story through Media Production,” Tracy Rector, Longhouse Media

11:15-12:00 p.m. Workshops 2A, 2B & 2C – see page 5 for description

2A) Leadership: “Dealing with the Media,” Jim Browder, NW Indian News

2B) Empowerment: “Financially Fit for Retirement & Beyond,” Steven Josephsen, Merrill Lynch

2C) Youth: “Navigating your Career Path”

Jaclyn Blackbird, Nike, Inc.

12:15-1:45 p.m. Enduring Spirit Award Honoring Luncheon

Prayer

Keynote Address: Representative Lynn Kessler, House Majority Leader

Introduction of 2008 Enduring Spirit Honorees

· Viole Riebe (Hoh)

· Juanita Jefferson (Lummi)

· Charlotte Kalama (Quinault)

· Wilma Arquette (Eastern Shoshone)

2:15 - 3:00 p.m. Workshop 3A & 3B

3A) Leadership: “What to do Now, to Win Later” Kristina Logsdon, Progressive Majority

3B) Empowerment: “Sister Story: Purpose, Spirit and Vision in Business" Monica Simeon, Sister Sky

3:10 p.m. Get Out the Native Vote Rally!

Julie Johnson & Theresa Sheldon, Native Vote Washington

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

This year our Native Women’s Leadership Forum is featuring a variety of workshops that will address career development, leadership, and personal enhancement opportunities intended to provide useful knowledge that you can use long after the conference ends.

Workshop presenters include individuals who have exemplified themselves and are forging new paths and new directions in their field of work. You’ll have an opportunity to gain knowledge from experienced individuals who are committed to sharing their experiences with conference attendees.

LEADERSHIP:

1A) “Healthy, Holistic Leadership”

June Northcroft Grant

Master Maori artist June Northcroft Grant of Rotorua, New Zealand, is artist-in-residence at The Evergreen State College, sponsored by Te Waka Toi, Creative New Zealand, and The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center.  June is a senior artist who works primarily as a painter but is prolific in other art forms as well.  As a breast cancer survivor, she has a particular interest in the healing aspects of the arts. In this workshop June will address aspects of healthy leadership.

2A) “Dealing with the Media”

Presenter: Jim Browder, NW Indian News - Jim Browder is the News Director for NW Indian News.

Imagine that issues and events directly concerning your Tribal community have become front-page news in the print media and the leading stories on radio, TV and the internet.

The image, reputation and political relationships of your Tribe are at stake, yet in the past, the media reports have been inaccurate as well as destructive. Now, millions of people are watching.

As a media relation’s director or Tribal leader, it is up to you to be sure that your Tribe’s best interests are properly represented and reflected in the news stories.

Learning how to control the media rather than to become a victim of misinformation is the agenda for the ‘leadership media workshop’ during the Native Women’s Leadership Forum, May 8^th at the Quinault Beach Resort.

3A) “What to do Now to Win Later”

Kristina Logsdon, Progressive Majority

This session will provide the ABCs that go into one’s thinking and decision-making on whether to run for office (within the next one to five years).  Also included are the steps that can be taken now to prepare for a solid campaign later.   

EMPOWERMENT

1B) “Preserving and Protecting your Family History for Future Generations”

Dr. Veronica Tiller, Tiller’s Guide to Economic Development in Indian Country

Are your precious family photos and documents gathering dust somewhere in a dark corner of your house? For many of us, this tends to be the case. We put off organizing our documents for that yet to be defined day when we intend to get organized, but somehow that day never seems to arrive. Meanwhile, time keeps ticking by and our memory of family events gets dimmer and dimmer.

Every family has a story to tell and that story exists among photographs, newspaper clippings, old programs or key documents that provide clues to the stories of our past. This session is intended to provide attendees with some concrete action steps that can be taken now to ensure that your family history is preserved and protected for future generations.

2B) “Financial Fitness for Retirement and Beyond”

Stephen Josephson, Merrill Lynch

Are you finding the retirement maze confusing and difficult to navigate? Make your vision of retirement a reality. Learn the essentials of having a plan for retirement that identifies appropriate steps you can take depending on your age, risk tolerance, and circumstances.

3B) “Sister Story: Purpose Spirit & Vision in Business”

Monica Simeon, Sister Sky

Sister Sky is a Native-women owned business specializing in fragrant bath and body products utilizing all natural ingredients with soothing, healing properties.

Our grandmothers harvested a variety of plants to make teas, ointments and creams. We honor our grandmothers by recognizing the value of natural ingredients. Sister Sky products are inspired by nature and the wisdom of our heritage. This workshop will explore the Sister Sky story as told by co-founder Monica Simeon.

YOUTH

1C) “Telling Your Story thru Media Productions”

Tracy Rector, Longhouse Media

Storytelling in tribal communities is an important form of expression that preserves our lifeways and culture for future generations. Media production allows us to take storytelling to another level by creating visual images interpreted through our eyes and our voice. This session will explore the field of media productions and career paths as Producers, Directors, Writers, and Editors. Participants will also learn more about the Native Lens, a digital media program for Native youth.

2C) “Navigating Your Career Path”

Jaclyn Blackbird, Nike, Inc.

After graduation from high school, everyone may ask them selves, "What will I do next?"  Attend this workshop to learn about Jackie Blackbird's experiences after high school, during college and her career today.  Insight will be provided on the steps she has taken to achieve her goals.  She will also talk about her working career with the Minnesota Twins Baseball Organization and Nike, Inc.