ANNOUNCING THE NATIVE LEARNING CENTER 2012 WINTER SYMPOSIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 4, 2012 -- Hollywood, Florida, January 4, 2012 – The Native Learning Center, a Seminole Tribe of Florida program dedicated to the development of cultural and quality of life skills for all Native and Indigenous people, announces details for the 2012 Winter Symposium at the Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek, Ft. Lauderdale, FL on January 24 -26, 2012.

The annual symposium will present a variety of classes focusing on Housing Strategies, Grants Education and Celebrating Culture and Language. The Symposium will host a multitude of cultural vendors throughout the duration of the event.

The 2012 Winter Symposium’s highlights include, but are not limited to:

“Sustainable Development with Recovery Act Funds” - Tuesday, January 24, 10:40am - 12:00pm
Instructor, Kevin Fitzgibbons, Administrator for the HUD/ONAP/Eastern Woodlands Office.

This session will highlight green/sustainable development that was accomplished with Recovery Act projects, which incorporated the use of Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and green building supplies.

“Grant Writing for Tribal and Urban Organizations” - Tuesday, January 24, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Instructor, Mary Helen Deer, is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.

This workshop is designed to assist Tribal and urban organizations, experienced, and new grants writers with skills and knowledge to improve their grant writing techniques.

“The Strength of Tribal Spirituality and Ecological Renewal” - Tuesday, January 24, 3:10pm - 4:30pm
Instructor, Tomé Roubideaux, Co-founder of the Wicala Institute, LLC, and is a member of the Sicangu Lakota, Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

The course focuses on the need to move beyond dualistic notions of forgiveness or compensation between oppressors and victims. Nurturing a spiritual transformation in ourselves and our communities is required to address the needs for political, social, and economic reconciliation.

“Preservation of Native Culture and Language Using Speech Recognition Technology” - Wednesday, January 25, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Instructor, Tony Scalese, is the CEO and President of Medical Dictate, and is a member of Pueblo of Isleta

Now, Native American Tribes can preserve their Native languages and use technology to teach and train the younger Tribal members to read their Native language. Also, technology can be used to train the Tribal elders how to translate their Native language into English and interpret English-written documents.

“Journey to Successful Fundraising” - Wednesday, January 25, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Instructor, Heather Miller, works for the Potlatch Fund and is a member of the Wyandotte Tribe.

In this Native American specific training, attendees will learn about the world of philanthropy and how it can improve an organization’s chances of winning a foundation grant. Topics covered include: relationship building, clarifying the mission, the elevator speech, outlining a project, completing the application, and evaluation.

“Drug Endangered Children: Identification and Reporting for Tribal Housing Officials” - Wednesday, January 25, 1:30pm - 3:00pm; 3:10pm - 4:30pm
Instructors – Steve Juneau & Joely Heavy Runner work for Lamar Associates – Indian Country Training. Steve is a member of Tlingit Haida and a descendant of Blackfeet Nation of Montana and Joely Heavy Runner is a member of Blackfeet Nation of Montana.

This course is tailored for Tribal communities and housing officials to identify the signs and symptoms of drug endangered environments, substance abuse indicators when conducting home inspections, early intervention requirements, and reporting and collaboration with local law enforcement.

“Protecting American Indian Arts and Culture” - Thursday, January 26, 9:00am - 10:30am
Instructor, Andy Abeita, is a member of Isleta Pueblo.

The course reviews all aspects of copyright and trademarking of products owned by an individual and or a Tribal entity. Any tangible or intangible variable product including art work, utilitarian and non-utilitarian products, songs, patentable inventions, etc. will be quickly explained during the course.

“Successful Technology Based Grant Writing” - Thursday, January 26, 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Instructor, Ron Flavin, works for Native Link Communications, and is a member of the Tolowa, Apache, Choctaw Tribes.
Topics covered include: managing the unique challenges of Tribal grant writing, deconstructing a request for proposal, grant mapping techniques, developing a strong need statement, meaningful partnerships and collaboration, goals, objectives and outcomes, project evaluation, developing the budget and budget narrative, and simple federal grant opportunities.

“Culturally and Environmentally Responsive Design: Sustainable Native Communities Design/ Planning” - Thursday, January 26, All Day (6 hours)

Instructor, Daniel J. Glenn, is the principal owner of Glenn and Glenn Architects and also works for Enterprise Community Partners. Daniel is a member of Crow Tribe of Montana.
This design and planning workshop will examine case studies and explore ways to rethink the way housing and communities are built on reservations, and to envision a new kind of housing that reflects ancient traditions and responds to climate while utilizing modern technologies and materials.

Register for the 2012 Winter Symposium classes at: http://2012wintersymposium.eventbrite.com/. For a full list of classes and course details, visit: www.nativelearningcenter.com under the Events Section.
###

The Native Learning Center (NLC) is an educational source that offers Native and Indigenous people the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that improve quality of life through housing-related educational programs. The NLC hosts Symposiums and individual courses that bring Native and Indigenous people together to discuss vital topics that promote cultural development within Indian Country. In cooperation with the Housing and Urban Development Office, Eastern Woodlands Office of Native American Programs (EWONAP) and various Native American trainers throughout Indian Country, the NLC developed areas of concentration to compliment current National organizations that support EWONAP’s mission to promote development of Native Housing and housing related activities. For more information, visit www.nativelearningcenter.com or contact us at (954) 985-2300.
Contact: Christina Gonzalez at (954) 985-2300 ext. 10691 or via e-mail at: Christinagonzalez@semtribe.com.

American Indian     american indian art     American Indian Culture     american indian education     Native American Artist     Native American Flute Workshop     Native Americans     Tribes and Housing