***This is a PRE-RECORDED TRAINING presented with live, interactive facilitation***

This class will provide an introductory overview of Alaska Native spirituality as it applies to wellness and unpack associated terms or concepts. While this training is not meant to be an authoritative sole source training on spirituality, it is meant to recognize that belief systems and Spirituality are powerful tools that have a paramount role in gaining or maintaining health and wellness and making healthy choices. We always defer to the local community or specific Indigenous groups in the area.  The wealth and wisdom of these communities arise from alliances with neighboring communities.  Alliances provide structure for relationships with the local elders, leaders, healers, and the community.  This shared structure of relationships allows traditional behavioral health healing methods to be shared among people and communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will increase knowledge of foundational information on spirituality in Alaska Native cultures.
• Participants will be introduced to cultural spiritual terms and concepts.
• Participants will have increased capacity to promote resiliency among the people and communities they serve.

Presenter:

Meda DeWitt, MA, Alaska Native Traditional Healer. Meda is a Tlingit Traditional Healer, Ethno-herbalist, multi-disciplinary artist, community leader, educator, and advocate of Indigenous health practices, as well as environmental steward. Meda completed her Bachelor’s of Arts in Women’s Rites of Passage and Master’s of Arts in Alaska Native Traditional Healing at the Alaska Pacific University. Her Tlingit names are Tśa Tsée Naakw, Khaat kłaat. Her adopted Northern Cree name is Boss Eagle Spirit Woman. Her clan is Naanyaa.aayí from Wrangell, Alaska.