Strengthening the Journey: Supporting Indigenous Communities through Culture, Leadership, and Learning

🎉We’re Trying Something New! 🎉

This year’s Healing of the Canoe Fall Conference will feature TRACKS—an exciting and flexible format that lets you choose your own learning journey based on your interests and community goals.

What’s a “Tracks” Conference?

Think of tracks like customizable learning paths. During each breakout period, you’ll select from several workshop options—each one tailored to a specific focus. Whether you’re eager to deepen your skills in cultural adaptation, explore trauma-informed practices, fine-tune curriculum delivery, or focus on community engagement, there’s a track designed for you. This approach empowers you to attend sessions most relevant to your role, experience level, and passions.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Focus deeply on Adapting or Facilitating curriculum throughout the week.

• Dive into specialized topics like Suicide Prevention, ACE’s & Resilience, Evaluation, Funding, and Community Engagement.

• Switch between tracks as needed, creating a learning experience that truly fits your needs.

Each session is taught by compassionate, experienced facilitators grounded in Indigenous knowledge and youth leadership principles.

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About the Conference

This 4-day intensive training is designed for Tribes and Indigenous communities developing or enhancing youth education programs rooted in culture and connection. Based on the Suquamish Tribe’s Healing of the Canoe Curriculum, a promising, proven practice for Native youth, the training offers a foundation of 14 life skills lessons taught through tribal knowledge, storytelling, and intergenerational guidance.

Participants will be supported in adapting the curriculum to reflect their own community’s cultural teachings and values. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a framework in place, this conference will give you:

• Practical tools to assess community needs

• Guidance to build local leadership and support

• Opportunities for hands-on practice

• A renewed sense of purpose, balance, and community

Each day includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, cultural sharing, and time for reflection—all in a setting that honors Indigenous strength, wellness, and wisdom.

Who Should Attend

• Tribal leaders, educators, and program coordinators working with Native youth.

• Indigenous community members interested in developing or adapting culturally rooted youth curricula.

• Behavioral health professionals and prevention specialists seeking Indigenous-centered approaches.

• Facilitators, cultural teachers, and youth mentors committed to culture-based education and healing.

What You’ll Experience

• A four-day immersive training in a supportive, culturally grounded environment.

• A flexible tracks format, allowing participants to choose breakout sessions that best suit their roles and goals.

• Keynote speakers, cultural sharing, and hands-on workshops led by experienced facilitators.

• Space to build relationships, reflect, and collaborate with peers from other Tribes and organizations.

Conference Takeaways

• A customized action plan and tools to implement or adapt the Healing of the Canoe curriculum in your community.

• Confidence and practice in facilitating youth sessions, grounded in Indigenous knowledge and values.

• Strategies for engaging community partners, securing resources, and measuring success in culturally relevant ways.

• A renewed sense of inspiration, purpose, and cultural connection to support your work with Native youth.

Cultural Sharing – What to Expect

Culture is at the heart of every curriculum—and every community. During the conference, we’ll hold a Cultural Sharing gathering, where each participating organization is invited to share a meaningful aspect of their own culture with the group.

This could be:

• A song, dance, or story from your community

• A traditional or contemporary craft, video, or game

• Teachings or practices that represent your people and your ways of knowing

There’s no right or wrong way to participate—share what feels meaningful to you. The time you take is up to you, and your hosts, the Suquamish Tribe, will also share something from their culture.

This is a powerful opportunity to connect, celebrate, and honor the diverse cultural strengths we each carry—and it’s always one of the most memorable parts of the week.