Thank you to all those who participated in our first event.  We hope our 2022 event can reach an even larger audience.  For more information go to https://seniorsym2022.planningpod.com

Toby Joseph Sr. is Cowlitz in spirit and of Jicarilla Apache and TabeguacheUte, Seneca and Lenape decent, born in Manitou Springs, Colorado. He is a master storyteller and past board member for the Northwest Indian Storytellers Association (NISA). Toby hasover 25 years of canoe journey experience, 35 years of working in Coast Salish Tribal communities supporting indigenous sustainability through storytelling, social-economic development, and spiritual growth through cultural pathways.

Believing in a cultural system of thought that focuses on storytelling, Toby has spent several years working as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and digital storyteller, recording exemplary role model elders across turtle island, focusing on interactions with community through cultural perspectives.

Toby strongly believes that culture is essential because it creates identity from an internalized place. Toby has traveled to Washington D.C. with the Nationally recognized program DISCOVERING OUR STORY highlighting who our people are rather than what society expects them to be.Growing up hearing stories through a cultural lens and being a present-day storyteller, Toby believes that Storytelling and culture are a framework for wellness that allows people the opportunity to better understand and express their own personal narratives. Toby believes we can overcome even war through a greater thought of love. Remembering we are sacred and are someone blessed with Life, Toby uses traditional language to highlight this in sharing about SKWUDAYTUD -the little rabbit -or SHIDZABISH -stealthy Warrior.

He finds strength in love, family and community, highlighting his wife, 11 children, 32 foster children, and 19 grandchildren as sources of both!

 

Michelle Pugh established Joonbug Yoga in 2010 with a passion to blend her creative talents with health, wellness and community. Her diverse experience comes from over 30 years of athletics, ballet and dedicated yoga training. Her yoga classes blend creativity, strength, balance, flexibility and flow blooming straight from the heart!

Michelle is a traveling Yoga Teacher born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. With one foot in the mountains and one foot on the shore, she extends her love of health and wellness both in person and virtually with the well being of her clients and community on her heart’s sleeve. She travels to various Tribes throughout Washington  and offers a wellness experience that is inclusive to all levels of experience. Michelle enjoys spending time in nature, gathering wild edibles, creating herbal products and beaded jewelry to support community wellness.

We will use a chair as a prop for support and incorporate an exploration of balance, flexibility, breath, and relaxation. Modifications are offered throughout the class. No experience necessary. Breathe, stretch and relax with this gentle 20–30-minute healing yoga session!

 

Rhonda Lee Grantham is a Cowlitz Tribal Member. Rhonda is a healer –an Indigenous midwife, herbalist, and community organizer, and is also the founder of the Canoe Journey Herbalists project, which she co-coordinates with Sophie Geist.

The Canoe Journey Herbalists will be in the Cowlitz River Room during the Afternoon Reception to provide herbal footbaths, as well as a cup of tea and kindness.

Please stop by Rhonda’s booth #5 to reserve a time for a foot bath.

Volunteer Interest Form

Onsite Event Volunteer Interest Form

CIT Staff and Volunteers in are thrilled to host the first annual Elders Symposium. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking volunteers to help with the planning and logistics of this event.  If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.  

In-person Conference Speaker Logistics: Liaison with speakers to receive copy of presentation and all other necessary documents; Provide copies of presentations to staff; Create thank you letters for speakers and source small speaker gifts; Work with Chairman to get thank you letters signed by Chairman and distributed to speakers; Provide speakers with directions to venue and other relevant information (i.e. information on parking, wifi, etc.)

Registration/Information Desk: These volunteers assist with attendee check-in. Some volunteers will need computer skills to help with tasks such as printing name badges and looking up attendees in the registration system. Others will help pass out the bags and name tags, or assist with VIP and speaker check-in. Volunteers must have the ability to stay calm when faced with a large crowd with lots of questions. Enjoying working with people is a must. Standing will be required for busy times. This position requires ability to trouble-shoot, process questions/information, and be a positive face for CIT. Attendees will expect you to have the answer to everything, so familiarize yourself with the conference schedule; special events, restaurants, and other items that you believe will contribute to an overall positive conference experience including information about the conference for attendees.  Volunteers on the Monday shift will also assist with packing up our supplies after the conference ends. 

Session Room Hosts: These volunteers help with the general and workshop sessions. They assist speakers as needed, help with handouts, evaluations, introductions, help people find seating, and go around the room with microphones for questions. The lead room host also introduces the speakers and helps keep time when sessions are close to ending. Audio Visual help for Technology set-up/support: Presenters to make sure that any audio and video presentation is working. Facilitate Teams Meeting (record, manage Q&A)

Hospitality: These volunteers are our greeters, outside door monitors for general sessions, lunch monitors (helping to guide people as they enter the lunchroom), and evening events helpers. They also provide information regarding locations of sessions or rooms and the event schedule; chat with folks as appropriate and offer to help them; assist any attendees who are self-identified as having special needs; providing directions and general information for the conference venue, as well as seeing to their general comfort.  We want every single attendee to have a positive conference experience, and all of the hospitality volunteers are instrumental in making that happen.

Help Desk: Checking in volunteers as they report for duty, Help direct attendees to the right rooms and point out where events are being held, Handling Lost and Found inquiries

Photography/Videography: Capture candid photos of the event, ensure all workshops are streamed live and ready to save to Vimeo.

Post-event Opportunities 

Teardown: loading and packing supplies

Create post-conference survey

Tabulate post-conference survey & prepare report

Send thank you notes to all volunteers, vendors and sponsors