An elder approached me to tell me about how much she loved the conference. She said that for the first time in the 8 years she has been attending she was able to open up and be vulnerable in a brand new way. She said to me: ‘Never in a million years would I have danced by myself in front of 200 colleagues’.

Never have I seen so many adults in one room with their inner child and creative spirit out to play. It was a true gift to see our youth and elders joined together in that place of play and imagination.

I was surprised to discover how I felt awkward at first when doing improv and other approaches. I was therefore surprised and impressed to notice how quickly the IndigenEYEZ techniques worked to melt away my resistance.

Youth need to laugh, be light-hearted, feel, not be afraid to make noise, safely break and make rules, use their leadership skills. All of the exercises in this training do exactly that.

One of the most important skills I learned with IndigenEYEZ was how to create a safe and supportive environment using the circle, theatre games and empathy consciousness.  I was able to apply the skills from the empathy consciousness exercises immediately, not only within my relationship but also with my friends and family. I am so grateful for what I am learning with IndigenEYEYZ.

I have used the skills many times over in my current job and would recommend anyone to take the workshops. The most significant thing I learned was how to lead a group and make it look like I know what I’m doing! It comes naturally now. It has certainly helped in my job.

 

I liked learning to listen for celebration, and hearing the desires in complaints – it was so awesome to know about. I liked learning about how much silent processing is going on, and how it continues after.

This camp helped me realize who I am, that I am beautiful, that we are all beautiful.

The power of human beings opening up and sharing their vulnerability amongst total strangers is immeasurable, and that is what this work does. It shows us the way back to our authentic beautiful, creative selves.

During the workshop a woman, an elder, expressed herself with teary eyes about empathizing with the children she worked with. It was real, raw and vulnerable. So powerful!! This work is amazingly healing.