NEW NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN LEADERS' ORGANIZATION HOLDS SUCCESSFUL FIRST CONFERENCE
ABOUT 150 WOMEN GATHER FOR EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP
PRIOR LAKE, Minn. - About 150 women gathered at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minn., from July 14-16, 2005 for the first annual Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) conference. Topics included finding a work/life balance, effectively campaigning for office, and increasing voter participation.
WEWIN is a new organization that provides advocacy, training, education, support and leadership development for American Indian women.
"I didn't know what to expect from the conference, but it left me feeling so uplifted and far exceeded my expectations," said Diane White, a freelance writer and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe member who attended the conference. "The tribal leaders created a positive atmosphere, focusing on important issues such as tribal sovereignty while still having fun and celebrating their femininity."
Titled "Exercising and Protecting Tribal Sovereignty through Effective Leadership," the conference brought together American Indian women to draw upon traditions and cultural values. Presentations and workshops educated and encouraged participants to create a stronger network, impact public policy, foster economic growth, continue personal and professional development, and offer support and encouragement to one another.
Conference speakers included Kalyn Free, who collaborated with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin to present a workshop session on how to effectively campaign for tribal and public positions. The pair also led a discussion on encouraging people to get out the vote.
Free is a member of the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma, and the youngest woman ever to serve as the Oklahoma State Attorney General. She ran for United States Congress in 2004, and would have been the first Native American to serve in Congress had she won. After the race, Free refocused her efforts to create the Indigenous Democratic Network's List, the first national political action committee solely devoted to electing Democratic Native Americans to local and state elected offices.
Cecelia Fire Thunder, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, spoke to conference participants on a topic that hits home for many women: finding balance. Her lively presentation explored how American Indian women can draw on cultural traditions to achieve balance between their personal, professional and civic roles. Fire Thunder is the first woman tribal president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Participants were also treated to live music, salsa dance lessons, a fashion show, and an opportunity to win prizes including a makeover and a $1,000 gift certificate to Marshall Field's.
The conference's success has prompted WEWIN founding members to begin planning next year's conference, which will take place in Phoenix, Ariz. For more information on WEWIN, visit www.wewin04.org.
About WEWIN
Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) was founded in 2004 by current and past female tribal leaders from across the country to empower American Indian women working in all levels of government. WEWIN nurtures these women's understanding of tribal responsibilities, issues faced on reservations, and political challenges experienced at the state and federal levels. WEWIN also supports its members in finding balance between their career and family roles.
