Thank you one and all!
Steve Van Bockern, President
It was a pleasure for Reclaiming Youth International to welcome participants from all over North America and beyond to the 2009 Black Hills Seminars in western South Dakota. An undergraduate student of mine who confessed that he attended because “I needed the college credit” told me after several days at the seminars that this was the best thing that ever happened to him. He was charged up when he expressed to me his appreciation and amazement that he had the opportunity to rub elbows with such a diverse and inspirational group. Those are my thoughts, too!
The pre- and post-conference trainings (Circle of Courage, Life Space Crisis Intervention, PersonBrain, Developmental Audit, Response Ability Pathways) were well attended. A number of organizations sent teams to these trainings - Flandreau Indian School of Flandreau, South Dakota and Youth Emergency Services of Gillette, Wyoming were well represented. These organizations recognize that change in the organizational culture requires shared language. The more who share our positive, strength-based language, the better.
Larry Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg and I were once again privileged to open the conference. Next year, we will celebrate at the seminars twenty years since our book, Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future was released. All of us wish Martin well in his “retirement” from his full time teaching duties at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, Canada. Martin will continue in his role as Vice President of Reclaiming Youth International through speaking, teaching and providing consultation. It should also be noted that Larry Brendtro debuted his most recent book, Deep Brain Learning, co-written with Martin Mitchell and Herman McCall. The book marks Larry’s long standing and ongoing relationship with Starr Commonwealth in Albion, Michigan.
Participants in the conference were provided a wide variety of opportunities to hear from respected authors and presenters. Sessions explored the latest information on neuroscience, peer groups, emotional and social intelligence, transformation of systems, importance of culture, juvenile justice, developmental assessments, how schools and other agencies can meet the needs of children, effective supervision, positive discipline, restorative justice, and resilience.
A highlight of the conference was the annual trip to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Mubarak Awad was the 2009 Spirit of Crazy Horse Award recipient. Fearless in his advocacy, Mubarak, just as Crazy Horse did in time past, inspires with his sense of purpose and passion.
Reclaiming Youth International wishes to thank all who participated in the Black Hills Seminars. We look forward to many more years of creating opportunities to learn and renew!
