CLEARLAKE >> Lake County Campus Woodland College will host a Native American Empowerment Day on Friday, March 23. The event aims to inspire Native American students to persist through completion of high school and pursue secondary level education, as well as promote leadership within their communities and tribes.
This one-day event is designed to promote a collaborative and informative environment where students can meet fellow Native students, connect, and network. There will be motivational speakers and workshops aimed to help develop students into strong advocates for their communities.
Native American students grades 6 through 12 and Native American adults are invited to this event from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. This event will provide motivation and support for students to succeed in school, enroll in higher education, and enter guided career pathways.
At this free event, the college will provide morning snacks, lunch, and educational materials. Local non-profit Kno’Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. is partnering with the college and will provide all registered participants with T-shirts. College staff will provide campus tours and information on careers, certificates, and degrees. The day will open with a traditional blessing and prayer offered by local tribal leaders and conclude with traditional dancing.
Lake County tribal members will present keynote presentations. The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be community leader Robert Geary. He will present on protecting sacred landscapes and cultural resources.
Kyle Bill, the Youth Services Coordinator at CA Tribal TANF will speak on Native Youth Leadership. Tony Steele will speak on Trauma and Healing. Dino Beltran will share about the recent gains in protecting ancestral items. All participants will attend hands on workshops regarding traditional practices and the value of higher education. College staff will provide assistance for anyone wishing to enroll in GED classes, certificates, associate degrees or transfer to a university. Financial aid staff will provide information on financial aid, grants, and scholarships. The Lake County Museum staff will provide and display Native cultural materials.
Local groups are invited to provide resource tables and resources at this event. The college requests that all participants pre-register in order to prepare the right amount of food and provide T-shirts and other materials. To register for the Native American Empowerment Day, call the college at (707) 995-7900.
