A two-day Family Wellness Conference took place at the Laxgalts'ap Community Centre on March 24 & 25, with the theme "Lessons from the Past, Preparing for the Future" with well over 150 registered for day 1 - including community leaders, elders, adults, youth, young parents and children.

Arising from an initiative to develop a strategic plan to address domestic violence in Nisga'a communities launched by the Public Order Peace and Safety (POPS) Committee and endorsed by the NLG Executive nearly two years ago, the conference featured discussion-based workshops on men's health; dealing with grief; legal aide services and resources; family law and child protection; sexual exploitation; post-trauma; cycle of violence and effects on children and youth employment readiness.  The NLG Ayuukhl Nisga'a Department also facilitated women's rountable on communication and roundtable discussion on wellness workshops.  Renowned Aboriginal comedian Don Burnstick facilitated an exclusive youth-only workshop entitled 'Empowering our Youth'.

Guest and keynote speakers also provided some excellent context to the conference theme by sharing their personal stories.  Dr. Joseph Gosnell, as always provided insight into where we have come from as a Nation, where we are today, and where we will be in the future.  Guest speaker Vernon Barker, a Nisga’a citizen from Laxgalts'ap provided his compelling story of growing and overcoming the adversity of his past to lead a healthy, positive lifestyle. 

The day 1 keynote speaker was none other than B.C. Lions player JR LaRose.  LaRose delivered a captivating story of his relationship with his mother who was an Indian Residential School survivor in Saskatchewan.  She suffered the impacts of dealing with her experience which led to alcohol and drug addiction.  As such, JR's childhood upbringing was not free from abuse and exposure to his mother's struggle with addiction.  But what made his courageous story so inspiring for the audience that listened intently to him was that through all of the adversity he faced in his personal and professional life he never gave up.  He always focused on what he wanted and went for it.  Despite the negative childhood memories, he still honoured and loved his mother for giving him life.  Despite several broken bones that would threaten his career, he still overcame, healed, strengthened and came back to become a 2011 CFL champion with the BC Lions.

It was the personal, intimate stories such as these that inspired other conference-goers to share their own in the break-out workshops throughout the two days.  Again, consistent with the theme, the purpose of sharing personal experiences was not to dwell on the negative, but to take away lessons learned and apply them to the future.  A positive future free from any form of violence and focused on wellness, safety and prosperity of community.

To wrap up the intensive two day conference, participants then engaged in roundtable discussions on where wellness will go from here.  A series of recommendations resulted from the discussions and will be formulated into a report for the POPS Committee to consider and implement into action items to achieve objectives set out in the strategic plan to end domestic violence.  Copies of the report will be forwarded and shared with all conference co-sponsors.

The success of the conference was made possible through the generous contributions in many forms including, but not limited to: financial, voluntary, in-kind professional services, cultural guidance, facilities, transportation; information booths, workshop presenters, facilitators and catering; from:

Nisga'a Lisims Government Council of Elders; Nisga'a Valley Health Authority; School District #92 (Nisga'a); Lisims Nass Valley RCMP; Nisga'a Employment, Skills & Training; Nisga’a Museum; Nisga'a Village of Gitwinksihlkw and Gitwinksihlkw Youth Council; Laxgalts'ap Village Government and Laxgalts’ap Youth Council; Gingolx Village Government; Ending Violence Association of BC; Kermode Friendship Society; Northwest Counselling; Ksan House; Terrace Legal Services; NWCC Culinary Arts Program – Gingolx.

NLG Departments of: Nisga'a Child & Family Services; Access to Justice; Ayuukhl Nisga'a; Eligibility & Enrolment and Communications & Intergovernmental Relations.

Photographed above are guest speakers Nisga'a Role Model Vernon Barker and BC Lions player J.R. LaRose.  For additional photos of the conference, visit our photo album HERE