The California Valley Miwok Tribe was recently asked for approval from a local non-profit that wanted to hold an indigenous themed event within it’s aboriginal territory. The Tribe appreciated the respect shown to it and all local native peoples by this gesture and of the very spirit of this event in helping all to understand the human experience through native eyes.
When asking for information about the event, speakers, participants, the mission statement of the 501c and it’s previous works and history working within Indian country the organization was very forthcoming and diligently provided everything that was asked of them.
A voice that speaks the truth for all true first nation peoples should always be heard. Anyone whom would try to silence that voice would not do so true of heart or spirit. There are not enough voices and not enough vigilance in existence to protect true native peoples and we here at the California Valley Miwok Tribe know this only too well.
To be silenced is to be dead. To never be allowed to speak is to never have existed.
We believe that the voices of those scheduled as speakers of this event need to be heard. They come from an array of tribal communities and bring various retrospectives and experiences and throughout their lives have overcome and accomplished much.
For all of the reasons listed above the tribe has given it’s blessing. Below you will find further information on the event, time and location, and short bios on featured speakers and performers if you are able to attend.
Thank you,
California Valley Miwok Tribe
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– All Tribes & First Nations Gathering –
Healing the Sacred Circle II – Looking Back Forward
October 6th through 8th, 2017 – Vacaville, California
Event participants will include:
Dr. Cheryl Bear – Friday Night (Key Note Speaker)
Cheryl is well known as an important and respected voice on behalf of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, an inspiring speaker and teacher who has traveled to over 600 Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States sharing her songs and stories. She also visits non-Native communities (schools, government, churches, and businesses) holding workshops to raise awareness and understanding of Indigenous issues. But more than anything else, Cheryl’s heart is best known in the quietness of time spent with her people.
Cheryl is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter who shares stories of Indigenous life: the joy, sorrow, faith and journey, through story and song. She has released three albums: Cheryl Bear (self titled), The Good Road, and A’ BA. Cheryl’s highly-acclaimed albums have received three Indigenous People’s Choice music awards, two Covenant Awards and a Native American Music Award.
She is one of the founding board members of the North American Indigenous Institute of Theological Studies (NAIITS). She is also an Associate Professor at Regent College, in Vancouver, BC.
Cheryl has an earned Doctorate from The King’s University in Los Angeles, and Master of Divinity degree from Regent College. Her doctoral work presents an approach to First Nations ministry from the foundations of indigenous worldview and values. She believes that leaders who are more fully informed about Native beliefs, values and practices will see a dramatic increase in their effectiveness in ministering to indigenous people in North America.
Bryan Brightcloud – Saturday Night (Keynote Speaker)
Bryan Brightcloud is Chiricahua Apache, member of the Buffalo Clan, Fort Sill Band and Member of the Yellow Pollen Warrior Society. For the last 20 years, Bryan has been a Native activist, speaker and teacher throughout North American. Bryan Brightcloud studied at Haskell Indigenous and American Indian Studies Club.
Formerly, Bryan was the Pastor of the Native American Inter-Tribal Fellowship at The Church on the Way. Bryan is the founder of Native Hope International and is an advisor for Friend of the People.
Bryan is an important leader in the contextualized ministry movement for Natives in North America. Bryan has spoken at many conferences, given seminars at colleges, and traveled to schools to give young children a truer image of Native Americans than what they see in cartoons, Westerns, and even some history books. Mixing Apache facts and pop culture, Bryan has tried to bridge the history gap for the children and adults.
Bryan Brightcloud was also an actor known for the TV series of Rachel Gunn, R.N. (1992), Reckless Kelly (1993) and the movie Day of Miracles (2004).
Dr. Suuqiina is a biblical Jewish scholar with an incredible anointing to combine the deep truths of scripture with the culture and understanding of Jewish roots that have deep significance and revelation for all believers. He is of Inuit (Alaska Native), Mi’Kmaq (Native American).
He is the founding member of The International Christian Embassy in Israel. He has recorded several music albums, one in which he developed the music for and recorded with the Czechoslovakian Symphony Orchestra. He also studied with his mentor, Master Painter Scott Switzer, and was awarded first place for Best Oil Painting in the Nashville Arts League. Dr. Suuqiina has also authored several books including Warfare by Honor and His Glorious Names.
Dr. Terry LeBlanc, PhD.
Terry is Mi’kmaq / Acadian. He and his wife Bev are in their 44th year of marriage. They have three adult children – twin daughters and one son. Each of their children is active in the Indigenous community through their vocations and by their substantial dedication to seeing change for Indigenous people in this generation. Terry and Bev are deeply committed to working for and promoting that same change. In addition to being the Executive Director of Indigenous Pathways,
Terry is also the founding Chair and current Director of NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community (NAIITS). Terry holds an interdisciplinary PhD from Asbury Theological Seminary, specializing in Theology and Anthropology. Author of numerous articles, papers and assorted book chapters.
Terry has won several awards for his varied writings. In June 2010, for his work on the creation of NAIITS, Terry became the 28th recipient of the Dr. E.H. Johnson Memorial Award for Innovation in Mission – an award he holds in common with such distinguished recipients as Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Jonathan Maracle (Broken Walls)
Broken Walls was conceived in 1995 by Jonathan Maracle (a Mohawk from Tyendinaga Territory in Ontario, Canada) while attending a conference called the Sacred Assembly in Ottawa / Hull. As different speakers shared their hearts, they spoke of the walls that have been built between the visitors to this land and the First Nations people. Jonathan began to see the need for these walls to be broken, wrote the song “Broken Walls” on the spot and performed it on the drum at this gathering.
Jonathan is a frequently asked to speak as well as sing at many functions. Jonathan shares from the heart of a father and will speak concerning the value of diversity and the need for each person’s unique gifts in society as a whole. He also welcomes any opportunity to speak within non-native church environments on First Nations people from a relevant cultural perspective.
Doug and Gloria Yates
Doug (Haida/Tsimshian) and Gloria (Yupik) Yates reside in Anchorage Alaska and serve in evangelism ministry, primarily among Alaska’s Indigenous Peoples. Story tellers, artist, and musicians, their mission is to see North America’s Native Peoples find faith and life in Yeshua, and to network with Native ministers to help raise up indigenous leaders. They have a vision of a facility for weekly gatherings and discipleship, and for the Young Warriors rural Alaska Native youth leaders network and to establish an Alaska Native cultural heritage center in Anchorage for facilitating evangelism and training. They have also hosted a mid-winter traditional potlatch gathering in the Tsimshian village of Metlakatla, Alaska.
Henry Mena Jr. and Family
“Papa Chief” (White Mountain Apache) is the Director and Founder of First Youth Nations Movement located in Southern California. His ministry and vision is to sustain a mighty First Nations Youth Revival beginning with the hosting reservations of Southern CA and overflowing to the rest of the US.
His team and family have held many youth rallies on reservations throughout the United States where many young Native Americans and elders have heard the gospel and received Christ has their Lord and Savior. Through reaching the youth it has been uniting many tribes.
Michael Paul Littlevoice: Native Indian Fancy Dancer and Story Teller.
Larry Brown Warrior Worship: Saturday morning. (Nominated award singer and song writer)
Cheryl Bear Concert: Friday Night (Award winning singer and song writer)
Broken Walls Concert: Saturday Night (Award winning band (Native American Music Awards) that has a distinctively Native American sound.
Chief Drummer
Jerry Chapman
Larry Brown
Prayer and Healing Rooms
Deborah Spotted Eagle
