"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

Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: NIGC presents new hurdle for tribes (12/12)
Jodi Rave: Tribes share success stories on TV, radio (12/12)
Jodi Rave: Indian family stands up to racism (12/11)
Jodi Rave: Gaming talk at University of Montana (12/8)
Jodi Rave: Freedom of the press in Indian Country (12/4)
Jodi Rave: Writer's views on poverty draw heat (12/1)
Jodi Rave: Native students not always a priority (11/27)
Jodi Rave: Native veterans are the unsung heroes (11/13)
Jodi Rave: Election Day for Indian Country (11/9)
Jodi Rave: Northern Cheyenne teen survives cancer (11/6)
Jodi Rave: Native candidates seek more Native votes (11/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/30)
Jodi Rave: An environmental role for Natives (10/26)
Jodi Rave: Burns and Tester seek Indian vote (10/23)
Jodi Rave: Rehberg and Lindeen tout tribal issues (10/23)
Jodi Rave: UN to honor Chief Arvol Looking Horse (10/18)
Jodi Rave: Tribes bless site of Native center at UM (10/16)
Jodi Rave: Tribes to bless Native center at UM (10/11)
Jodi Rave: Play brings treaty to life for students (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Tribe rallies against drugs and abuse (10/9)
Jodi Rave: Open college doors to Native students (10/4)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/26)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/25)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/22)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/18)
Jodi Rave: More Native students enter college (9/11)
Jodi Rave: Campaign seeks Native marrow donors (9/6)
Jodi Rave: Sharing tribal histories of Sacagawea (9/5)
Jodi Rave: Native athletic events an inspiration (8/28)
Jodi Rave: Cultural revival on the reservation (8/21)
Jodi Rave: Accurate media coverage of Natives (8/10)
Jodi Rave: From the Chickasaw Nation to Broadway (8/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous summit at base of Bear Butte (8/1)
Jodi Rave: Fire Thunder steps into ring of fire (7/31)
Jodi Rave: Dangerous policy on Native ancestors (7/28)
Jodi Rave: Cobell worried about settlement legislation (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Documentary explores Indian land (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Gathering celebrates Native women warriors (7/17)
Jodi Rave: HUD releases block grants for tribes (7/10)
Jodi Rave: Montana Natives win at Indigenous Games (7/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games kick off in Colorado (7/4)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games propel indigenous rights (7/3)
Jodi Rave: Tribal housing hurt by HUD decision (6/29)
Jodi Rave: Passing on the stories of the people (6/26)
Jodi Rave: Ulali carries on singing tradition (6/20)
Jodi Rave: Churchill fabricated history of my people (6/19)
Jodi Rave: Native family gets help with first home (6/12)
Jodi Rave: Express tribal identity at graduation (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Trendsetters at UM Indian journalism (5/22)
Jodi Rave: Immigrant marchers belong to Native America (05/08)
Jodi Rave: Tribes alarmed at trust reform initiative (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Racial tensions in border communities (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Program to help Natives in legal system (02/14)
Jodi Rave: Tribal employee admits to fraud in Iraq (2/13)
Jodi Rave: Tribal political donations debated (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Native people object to school mascots (2/6)
Jodi Rave: Garcia calls for settlement of Cobell (2/3)
Jodi Rave: Native conservation a focus of conference (2/2)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honored for work (1/27)
Jodi Rave: HUD loans a success in Indian Country (1/23)
Jodi Rave: Burns to celebrate birthday with lobbyists (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Burns ignored Cobell, tribal issues (1/17)
Jodi Rave: King speech still matters to Indians (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Black Indians struggle for acceptance (12/05)
Jodi Rave: Deloria represented human adventure (11/17)
Jodi Rave: Applause for Gov. Schweitzer at NCAI (11/07)
Jodi Rave: Natives pay for health care with lives (10/24)
Jodi Rave: Group to propose Tribal Justice Act (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet citizens invest in their future (10/03)
Jodi Rave: Media needs more Native journalists (9/23)
Jodi Rave: Indian Country guide an essential tool (09/13)
Jodi Rave: Free press in Indian Country a big issue (08/15)
Jodi Rave: The best fry bread in Indian Country? (7/29)
Jodi Rave: Tragedy on the Red Lake Reservation (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet opera lacks authenticity (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Reporting on reservations is improving (06/02)
Jodi Rave: Hope remains after mother's passing (05/11)
Jodi Rave: Fewer and fewer Indians in newsrooms (04/25)
Jodi Rave: 'No Media' sign at Red Lake not for me (04/14)
Jodi Rave: Indians don't pay taxes and other myths (03/11)
Jodi Rave: Deloria unknown because he's Indian (01/24)
Jodi Rave: Native participation needed in politics (01/10)
Jodi Rave: What was 'Kokopelli' professor thinking? (12/15)
Jodi Rave Lee: It feels good to be a grandmother (11/23)
Jodi Rave: Native veterans denied home loans (11/11)
Jodi Rave: Indian issues need more than a month (11/9)
Jodi Rave Lee: Protecting rights of Native voters (11/04)
Jodi Rave Lee: Trail tells story of Nez Perce (10/12)
Jodi Rave: Mixed emotions surround NMAI opening (09/27)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native image on coin inspires pride (09/14)
Jodi Rave Lee: Indians, Iraqis have much in common (08/30)
Jodi Rave Lee: Gag order sign of poor leadership (08/09)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native presence can't be denied (08/02)
Jodi Rave Lee: Warrior spirit gives Natives hope (07/06)