Food for the Spirit is co-hosting a free presentation “All Our Relations – An Overview of Native American Cultural Competency” presented by Pete Hill (Cayuga, Heron Clan), “All Our Relations” Project Director at Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc. (NACS).
This presentation will take place on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 4:30pm at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, 1445 Upper Hill Road, Middlesex, NY . To help us plan appropriately, please RSVP to Rebekah Williams at Rebekah (at) foodforthespirit.org.
Pete Hill is an enrolled member of the Cayuga Nation, Heron Clan and currently the “All Our Relations” Project Director at Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties, Inc. (NACS). Pete has worked at NACS for over 26 years, spending the majority of that time with several youth and community programs addressing alcohol/substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, teen pregnancy prevention, and HIV risk reduction. He has integrated many Native American cultural teachings and approaches into program design, evaluation, and strengths-based approaches. An experienced trainer, Pete has also been heavily involved with the development of new approaches and initiatives designed to help the community to move beyond the impact of historical traumas and related factors that have negatively impacted the inter-generational health and vitality of Native American people.
This presentation will include some of the basic foundations and diversity of Native American cultures, provide an understanding of how many, little-known aspects of historical underpinnings have shaped our relationships between Native and Non-Native communities, and share how we can promote improved health, respect, and pride for all. A special highlight of this presentation will include a 30-minute screening of a very powerful documentary, Unseen Tears: The Impact of Native American boarding schools in Western New York. This video features interviews with Native American elders and community members who share their experiences and consequences of the residential boarding schools that operated under the focus to “kill the Indian, save the person.” Pete will explain how factors such as residential boarding schools have influenced the dynamics and wellbeing among Native communities, as well as the relationships with American and Canadian society.
Space is limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Rebekah Williams at Rebekah (at) foodforthespirit.org.
For more information about our co-hosts, click on these links for Native American Community Services and the Rochester Folk Art Guild.