Health
Jodi Rave: Wellness wave sweeps Indian Country


"Marcus Red Thunder is part of a wave of wellness that's sweeping across Indian Country.

�I believe I've been put in a position to continue that wave, keep it strong and build it so it can wash over our people,� said Red Thunder, a motivational speaker who helped lead the Oglala Sioux Nation's Employment Assistance Program wellness conference.

On Saturday morning, laughter, smiles and giggling filled the conference room of the Grand Gateway Hotel where wellness participants gathered for the final day of the Oglala program's annual Wowasi O Ecun El Watukapi, or Stress in the Workplace, conference.

Chris Eagle Hawk, the eyapaha - the conference's camp crier - reminded everyone that laughter was good medicine. And it was needed during the three-day event, where speakers addressed issues such as diabetes, stress, gangs, mental health, relationships, gossip, domestic violence, and sexual and alcohol abuse.

Red Thunder said Native communities are beginning to address all these issues, which is contributing to the wave of wellness.

�One of the last frontiers is sexual abuse,� said Georgine Looks Twice, a manager with the Oglala's Employee Assistance Program. �But we're starting to talk about it. It's a word that nobody wants to hear. We're gearing up to talk about sexual abuse. And we're not going to be the most popular people on the block.�"

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Native conference teaches and inspires for balance, wellness (The Missoulian 12/17)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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