Mental Wellness Gathering Series Panel

The Indigenous Mental Wellness Gathering Series is comprised of seven FREE events; the purpose is to provide the Los Angeles County American Indian/Alaska Native community and allies with knowledge and access to culturally inclusive and responsive mental health services, resources, and information.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives, relations and mental health have been affected in my many ways. Indigenous Circle of Wellness has spent the last 6 months exploring topics such as mental health and stigma, anxiety, depression, and the impact of COVID-19 on the brain. We will be ending our Mental Wellness Gathering Series with a closing panel where community members will be able to further their understanding of these topics and share their own personal experiences.

Do I need to register?

Each person who would like to participate is required to register in advance. This will ensure the correct amount of supplies and materials are available during the event. The gatherings have SOLD OUT every month, so please register as soon as possible if you would like to guarantee your spot.

• 10:00am: Welcome, Introductions & Breakfast
• 10:15am: Purpose and Intentions
• 10:30am: Panel Discussion regarding all topics from the Mental Wellness Gathering Series
• 11:30am: Live Q & A with the audience
• 12:00pm: LUNCH BREAK and SOCIALIZATION
• 12:20pm: Join your registered art activity (please review Registration Instructions below)
• 1:50pm: Closing, Raffle, and Final Thoughts

This event is #7 of 7 total Mental Wellness Gatherings that have been held in Los Angeles County. We hope you will join us for future events, workshops, and gatherings that are hosted by Indigenous Circle of Wellness. Keep a look out for future event registration links on our social media accounts @indigenouscircleofwellness.

DMH Mental Health Promoters, Harrelson Notah and Iva Maes will continue to lend their expertise during our closing panel.

Harrelson is a Mental Health Promoter with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, where he delivers mental health workshops based on empowerment and a strength-based approach. Harrelson also serves community in his role as an academic counselor with the Educational Opportunity Program at California State University of Long Beach. His presenting partner Iva Maes has served as a Wellness Outreach Worker (WOW) Volunteer for LACDMH at American Indian Counseling Center (AICC), where she was awarded L.A. County’s WOW Newbie/Rookie Volunteer of The Year, and WOW’s Most Innovative Volunteer of The Year the following year.

Joining our panel are ICOW's wellness providers Kylee Jones and Robyn Gomez.

Robyn Gomez (Licensed Clinical Social Worker 96526) is a Huichol-Xicana born and raised on Tongva and Tataviam lands, known today as the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Attended Los Angeles Mission College, Cal-State Northridge, and received her master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California. She utilizes strengths-based approaches, clinical interventions, and ZERO TO FIVE core knowledge skills to engage families and the community through holistic approaches, ancestral healing, and social justice advocacy. Robyn is a graduate of the University of California Davis Continuing & Professional Education, Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Program and has been accepted into the Reflective Supervision Academy. She is certified in the following evidence-based practice modalities: Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) ages 3yrs and up with a specialty in grief and loss, Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), Positive Indian Parenting (PIP), and NCAST Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) Feeding Scale observable behaviors that describe caregiver/parent child interaction. Robyn believes in the power of relationships, increasing the parent-child dyad, and facilitating to find one’s inner healing towards growth. She has years of experience utilizing therapeutic interventions such as Reflective practice, Motivational Interviewing, and Problem-Solving. Robyn is a bilingual therapist able to provide services in Spanish.

Kylee Jones is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW #93587) who was born and raised in Riverside, California. She has earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California Baptist University and her Master’s of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has worked in the urban Native community within the Los Angeles and Riverside Counties for over six years. In addition to working with the Native community, she also works with low income individuals in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties offering court-mandated psychoeducation courses, treatment and services within the residential rehabilitation setting, services during acute hospitalization, and short-term counseling. Kylee is a multiracial woman who has a passion for advocacy, outreach, and representation. Her areas of focus include intergenerational trauma, race and ethnic relations, identity development, self-worth/self-esteem development, and life transitions. Being of mixed race, Kylee understands the feelings of not belonging, questioning one’s identity, and forging one’s own path. Healing the past for the success of the future is one of Kylee’s passions. She use’s motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and other evidence-based treatment models. *Kylee is under the clinical supervision of Denise Copeland, LCSW (Lic# 70160).

We are grateful to have these four community members share their knowledge and expertise regarding mental wellness.

At the gathering we will break-up into three groups to participate in three different art making activities. The ticket you select today will determine which art making activity you will participate in at the event. You will only be participating in one art activity, not all three. Please read each ticket description thoroughly.

Each person will require their own registration. Please ensure all household members are individually registered with their own name.

Correct Example: First and Last Name of each attending individual - Mom Yazzie, Dad Yazzie, Cousin Yazzie, Son Yazzie

Incorrect Example: If a parent/caregiver is registering for the entire family, do NOT register with one name - Mom Yazzie, Mom Yazzie, Mom Yazzie, Mom Yazzie

If you are a caseworker or representative of a community organization who is attempting to register on behalf of your clients, please enter your clients first and last names when registering. Each ticket registered represents one person attending. Do NOT enter your personal information, unless you are planning to attend the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dria Yellowhair at [email protected] or 626-782-5570 ext. 104.

1. LA County Resident w/ Paint Your Story
2. LA County Resident w/ Collage Medicine Box
3. LA County Resident w/ Clay Medicine Prints

Lorene Sisquoc Bio:

Lorene Sisquoc (Fort Sill Apache/Cahuilla), Curator / Culture Traditions Leader at Sherman Indian High School Museum; Instructor, University of California, Riverside; Elder in Residence, California Polytechnic State University; Mother Earth Clan Programs; Sisquoc is co-founder and curator of the Sherman Indian Museum. Sisquoc co-founded the Mother Earth Clan Cultural Programs in 1986. She became volunteer curator/manager of the Sherman Indian Museum in 1991 and has taught classes in Native American traditions and basketry at Sherman Indian High School since 1995. Sisquoc is the first elder/scholar-in-residence at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California.

Paint Your Story Activity Description:

Participants will paint out their story, legend, tribal tradition, or memory using only symbols. They will use yucca brushes and grind natural pigments into paint. We will paint our stories onto cloth squares. There will be samples of symbols on ledger art, pictorials, and some rock art. We will listen to stories before and while we work on projects to inspire participants. Once projects are done, they will be encouraged to share the meaning and symbolism behind their stories.

Activity is approved for all ages with adult supervision for children.

Supplies will be provided at the gathering.

Kimberly Robertson Bio:

Dr. Robertson is currently an associate professor of American Indian Studies at California State University of Long Beach. She is also an artist who uses Native practices to create. Most recently, Dr. Robertson’s art was featured on the cover and inside “Otherwise Worlds,” a Duke University Press publication.

Collage Medicine Box Activity Description:

In this hands-on workshop, participants will use collage materials/techniques to adorn a small wooden box intended for the safekeeping of their cultural medicines. We will also have the opportunity to consider the ways in which cultural activities and medicines can contribute to individual and community health and wellness.

Activity is approved for all ages with adult supervision for children.

Supplies will be provided at the gathering.

Joel Garcia Bio:

Clay medicine prints will be led by Joel Garcia (Huichol). Joel is an artist, arts administrator and cultural organizer with 20+ years of experience working transnationally focusing on community-centered strategies. His approach is rooted in Indigenous-based forms of dialoguing and decision-making (non-hierarchical) that uplifts non-institutional expertise. Joel uses art and organizing to raise awareness of issues facing underserved communities, inner-city youth, and other targeted populations.

Clay Medicine Print Description:

The clay medicine prints workshop offers participants an opportunity to explore their wellness and well-being through plant relatives. Using quick-dry clay, participants will create a clay wall hanging imprinted using medicinal plants, a visual reminder to connect with our plant relatives when times get rough.

Activity is approved for all ages with adult supervision for children.

Supplies will be provided at the gathering.

This activity is messy, so please wear appropriate clothing.

Location: ASU California Center - 1111 S Broadway Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Directions

Coming from the 10 fwy, exit Broadway and head north.

Metro

The ASU California Center is located about half a mile from the Pico Station stop on both the A and E Lines. Please visit https://www.metro.net/ to find the best route.

Bus

There are numerous Metro Local and DASH bus routes that stop within reach of the ASU California Center. Broadway and 12th stops include the Metro 30, 35, 38, 40, 45 and Dash D. Please visit https://www.metro.net/ to find the best bus route.

Parking

FREE parking will be provided to registered participants. Parking is available at the Curb Stand lot at the NE corner of S Broadway and W 12th Street. We encourage carpooling. Detailed instructions to access the lot will be emailed on the days leading up to the event.

**If you did not register for the event, please be prepared to pay for your parking permit**

Accessibility

The building is ADA accessible. However, the free parking is across the street and around the corner from the building entrance. If you or a family member will have a hard time making the journey from the parking lot to the ASU California Center, we can arrange to meet you at a drop off point via the alleyway behind the building. This would be considered the safest drop off option in the busy downtown streets.

Indigenous Circle of Wellness is a private practice located in Southeast Los Angeles. We provide quality mental wellness services, grounded in holistic healing (mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical balance) through a culturally inclusive approach. We value interdependence, family, community, healthy sustainable relationships, inclusion, and social justice.

Indigenous Circle of Wellness offers numerous services to the community, including counseling, workshops, trainings, and consulting. Learn more by visiting our website at www.icowellness.com

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

ASU California Center, 1111 South Broadway, Los Angeles, United States