LA RONGE — The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is charting its own path to healing with a three-day community healing conference, taking place July 8 to 10 at the La Ronge Urban Reserve.
The event, 小蓝视频 held for the first time, will bring together Elders, youth leaders, frontline workers and families for a gathering focused on Indigenous wellness, cultural revitalization and collective healing. Programming will directly address urgent community crises, including the opioid epidemic, youth mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the long-term impacts of wildfires and displacement.
“This conference is about coming together in the face of pain, grief and loss, and walking forward as one,” said Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. “It’s about supporting one another, honouring our stories and walking a healing path together.”
The summit features keynote addresses from Indigenous and national leaders, including Joe Calendino, a former Hells Angel member turned youth mentor; harm reduction advocate and former gang member Guy Felicella; former Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller; and La Ronge’s own Joey Genereaux, who shares powerful messages on personal growth and resilience.
Local voices will include Elders, knowledge keepers, youth advocates and first responders. A cultural and healing village will operate throughout the summit, offering paddle-making, moose hide tanning, fish and moose meat preparation, fish net-making, snowshoe-making, carving, art therapy, a healing tent, traditional medicine, birch bark crafts, beading, Elder-led teachings and more.
Daytime sessions will feature workshops on trauma, addiction, land-based teaching, education pathways and crisis response. Evening programming includes live entertainment, traditional meals and community celebrations. Children’s activities will include a petting zoo, bouncy castles and family-friendly events.
“We recognize the pain in our communities—from the opioid crisis to the trauma of the wildfires,” said Cook-Searson. “This conference is our commitment to lead our healing in a supportive environment, with our community members as the main focus.”
