BILLINGS, Mont. — This March, Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons program hosted its pivotal annual conference, “Discovering Our Path: Embracing Identity & Purpose.” The event marks a cornerstone of the program’s mission to empower Native American youth by immersing them in a nurturing environment focused on leadership, identity, and community engagement.
Conference Impact and Insights
The conference, specifically tailored for Native youth, drew participants eager to connect with their heritage and hone their leadership skills. Keynote speaker Samuel Hiratsuka, a prominent advocate for Native rights, set an empowering tone with his address on resilience and empowerment. His insights provided a profound backdrop for the event, inspiring attendees to embrace their identities and the responsibilities that come with them.
Further enriching the experience, author Ben Miekelsen shared his narrative expertise through themes of redemption and reconciliation from his book “Touching Spirit Bear.” His session underscored the personal growth and inner healing that are possible when cultural stories are embraced and understood.
Adding a modern twist to traditional learning, Mytilin Bighorn and Mary Thorpe conducted a digital session via Zoom, discussing leadership within the context of Native cultural identity. This session highlighted the importance of contemporary skills in community leadership, demonstrating how traditional values and modern realities intersect to shape effective community leaders.
Broader Community Impact
The Expanding Horizons program under Western Native Voice consistently emphasizes the development of young Native leaders who are prepared to engage with both their communities and the broader societal structures. “Discovering Our Path” serves as a critical platform for this engagement, providing tools and knowledge that foster a proactive approach to community involvement and leadership.
The feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing a newfound sense of purpose and commitment to their communities. This feedback underscores the importance of such gatherings in nurturing confident, capable leaders who are ready to advocate for and contribute to their communities.
Looking Ahead
As Western Native Voice continues its mission through the Expanding Horizons program, it remains dedicated to empowering Native youth across the region. The “Discovering Our Path” conference is just one of many initiatives designed to foster leadership and community engagement among Native Americans. The commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders is essential for creating lasting impact within and beyond Native communities.