Caring for our most Sacred Gifts: Northern Indigenous Parenting Conference

September 16, 2019

The conference is organized by Carrier Sekani Family Services. It boasts an impressive lineup of guest speakers and workshops. Each will provide parents, families, and professionals with new skills and techniques to address challenges, some of which are unique to Northern BC.
 
Lead organizer, Amy Merritt, says the event is for anyone who works with Indigenous children: “It will initiate honest and open dialogue between parents and service providers regarding various challenges and day to day stressors of parenting. The workshops will provide concrete responses and techniques to address challenges, some of which will be specific to remote and rural living.”

Merritt says that if this conference proves to be successful, she hopes it will garnish more interest in Northern BC for similar events going forward.

Derek Clark, a motivational speaker for trauma, is one of the keynote speakers coming to the event.  He is internationally renowned as the ‘Rapping Dad.’  He’s been featured on the Steve Harvey show, amongst others. He says the draw to coming to the Prince George conference is because he wants to help parents and children connect. “Relationships change youth,” Clark says. “Some children have, what I call, relationship poverty. My goal is to help reconnecting with the human spirit.”

 
Clark’s story is one of redemption and resilience, having survived a traumatic childhood. At just 5 years old, Clark says that he suffered brutal child abuse. After his parents gave him up for adoption, he was committed to psych facilities, where he was mislabeled and misdiagnosed throughout his youth.
 
By sharing his story, Clark hopes to make a connection with everyone at the conference. He says, “everyone has a story… Our ancestors learned through storytelling.” With his story, Clark has inspired and motivated thousands across North America. “Sharing our stories helps us make connections.”
 
Clark is the author of seven books, with titles like I will Never Give Up and Never Limit Your Life, and will be available for book signings during the event. As for his rapping, Clark said he will definitely be “throwing something down.”

 
The Northern Indigenous Parenting Conference will be running from September 24th, 25th and 26th at the Civic Center.  It will include breakfast and lunch daily as well as vendors and information booths. It will also provide plenty of opportunity to mingle with service professionals, teachers, and parents. The event is for anyone who raises kids, or works with them at a professional level.  
 
For more information or to register, go to CSFS.org.
 
By Jordan Cryderman

©Carrier Sekani Family Services, 2019.

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