13th Annual Seminole Wellness Conference

By Judy Weeks

MARCO ISLAND, FL — On July 16 participants began to arrive at the Marco Island Hilton for the13th Annual Seminole Wellness Conference. This monumental event had been in the planning stages for the past nine months and had finally become a reality.

Under the competent direction of Helene Buster, the wellness committee put together a very beneficial opportunity for the members of the Seminole Tribe and their families. The basic concept is just what the name implies. Wellness takes in addictions in its many forms, recovery and both physical and mental well being. This year’s well thought out program covered all of these aspects, including youth counseling.

Activities got underway each morning at 6 a.m. with the Fitness department sponsoring a beach walk that took in approximately a three mile radius. Gathering in the pre-dawn darkness behind the hotel, the group had the exhilarating experience of watching the sunrise as they enjoyed the quiet lapping of the Gulf waters on the beach. Walking along in solitude or speaking in hushed tones, one could not help but recognize that each day is a new beginning in our lives.

The beach walk was just the beginning of a very busy day for the Fitness department. Personal trainers Neil Prager and Joey Garcia were available by appointment to assist in helping set up a safe, healthy physical program geared to the needs of each individual participant. Massage Therapist Tracy DelaRosa used her magic fingers to relieve the muscle strain from unfamiliar exercise or long hours in the conference room. Both facilities had a long, eager waiting list.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., organized sports and pool activities awaited the conference attendees before they gathered in the dining hall for a gourmet meal.

Fitness Director Vickie Barogiannis said, “It is our goal to help you establish a physical regime that is both safe and healthy so as to enhance your lifestyle. Becoming unfit does not happen overnight nor does achieving your new fitness goals. It takes both time and work, but the rewards are limitless.”

Quoting Charles Buxton, she said, “You will never find time for anything. You must make it.”

Tables had been set up in the entry hall and were manned daily by members of Family Services, Health and Nutrition departments. They distributed brochures, healthy snacks, conference memorabilia and good advice daily. Wellness is not just a personal thing, but a community effort and it is the Seminole Tribes’ goal to assist its members in obtaining the rewards of their hard work toward a better lifestyle.

The conference got underway on the morning of July 17 with opening ceremonies. Several Tribal dignitaries took advantage of this opportunity to express their support to those individuals in recovery and those who are making an effort to build stronger minds and bodies. Healthy individuals become members of strong families and the ultimate result is the Seminoles Stand Strong.

Addressing the group were: Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President/Vice-Chairman Moses Osceola, Brighton Council Representative Andrew Bowers, BC Council Representative David Cypress, Hollywood Council Representative Max Osceola and Trial Liaison William Osceola.

A diverse group of very well qualified speakers had been assembled to complete the week long schedule. Conference participants recognized many familiar faces and welcomed new additions to the program. Helene Buster made opening remarks

“I thank my creator for every day and take one day at a time,” she said. “Think, think, think! Whatever works for you is the path for you to take; whether it is Twelve Steps, NAA, Church, Indian Medicine, Rehab or so many other options. Remember, testimony is powerful. Participate and reap the rewards.”

A very dynamic speaker, Clayton Small, had returned to share his personal triumphs and motivate his audiences. His subjects were personal healing, codependency and relationships. A Northern Cheyenne, who was raised on a reservation, he had experienced first hand many of the same situations and challenges experienced by his captive listeners.

Small is a very animated speaker and invites audience participation. Drawing upon volunteers, he energizes the room with dancing, chanting, invoking laughter and reaching out to the individuals. His method includes such topics as conditioned behavior and breaking cycles. Regardless of the type of addiction: alcohol, drugs, eating disorders or financial, not just the individual, but the whole family are affected. You cannot control the lives of others, but by controlling yours, you can affect theirs in a positive manner.

Mike Lewandowski brought his message all the way from Kalmazoo, Mich. Being an addict and involved in recovery programs for numerous years, he is well qualified to say that all addiction is a mental health problem. Working on this premise, he did an in depth study of the Twelve Step program. Injecting personal experiences and humor into his presentations, he held a captive audience.

The group graciously welcomed back the lovely and talented Denise Alley. Having participated in several conferences in the past few years, she has become an old friend with a familiar, but interesting message. Her subjects included forgiving and letting go as well as dealing with guilt and shame. However, she did not limit herself to these topics. Her message stresses personal well being, self-respect and a balanced, happy life style that can only be achieved if we unload our burdens and move on with our lives.

Alley’s son, Ben Antone, travels with her. Over the years the conference participants have slowly watched him grow up before their eyes. He has developed quite a connection with the younger set as he enjoyed their company in the pool and other activities in the past years.

Following high school graduation, he is now counseling and has become a role model for the youth program. A very talented dancer, he uses his abilities to captivate his audience and deliver his message. The youngsters adore him and hang upon his every word.

A member of the Lakota Sioux Tribe, Chani Phillips hails from Yakima, Wash. Dealing with the very sensitive topic of domestic violence, she first established the types of abuse and then their affect on not just the victim, but the entire family and community. She told stories from her own Tribal heritage to establish the solution to the problem, which is a no tolerance policy. You must break the cycle to become a survivor and this will lead to becoming a thriver.

Suzanne Davis from the Allied Health department tackled the difficult subject of healthy beginnings. Beginning with preconception, conception, nutrition which includes diabetes, and finally the healthy birth of the next generation, she covered all aspects of the subject very professionally.

Unfortunately, it was necessary for her to dwell on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and pre-natal addictions. However, the end result was a very informative and rewarding presentation, which should be taken to heart to insure a bright future for the Seminole Tribe.

Beth Moriang joined Davis in a very innovative health presentation which included a game of Jeopardy®. Dividing the room into two teams, there was full audience participation. A lively gamed ensued in which some very difficult health question and topics were introduced and it was amazing how well informed the participants were on a variety of subjects; particularly diabetes and the food pyramid. Everyone enjoyed the game and would have welcomed a rematch.

Marlin Farley tackled the men’s group on forgiving and letting go in order to develop a whole, healthy human being equipped to meet the challenges of daily life and become a survivor rather than an aggressor or victim. His second topic, aftercare, was the logical progression of the same subject and expounded on winning the daily battles to achieve the ultimate goal.

The abuse, dependency and treatment for methamphetamine is Dr. Robert Perkinson’s expertise. Coming from a very dysfunctional family, he grew up with a speak impediment of stuttering, low self-esteem and followed the road to drug dependency. Beating overwhelming odds, he has acquired several degrees and is currently the clinical director of the well-known Keystone Treatment Center.

“If you’re an addict and shake your family tree, drunks will fall out,” Perkinson said. “God changes the world one person at a time and it is never too late to make the change.”

Perkinson captivates his audience by playing the guitar and singing as he delivers his message.

Dealing with grief, guilt and shame are things which Larry Long is well equipped to tackle. Grief affects everyone at some time or another; whether it is the loss of a loved one because of death or the loss of a lifestyle wasted. There are positive steps to overcome this suffocating situation and move on with your life. Shame and guilt carry the same burdens and healthy people must lay those burdens down.

Mary Baxley tacked the crippling disease of codependency. All too often families create the atmosphere that allows addicts to function without realizing their participation. The harm this causes is two fold. The addict has a way to continue down the road to destruction and the family is destroyed by all the inevitable side effects. Everyone’s life is torn apart by the control they allow the addict to have over them. You must love yourself first, in order to make the right decisions and survive.

An old friend returned in the form of Jerry Moe. He is a very animated and audience captivating speaker with a message for young and old that gives hope to every circumstance. This red haired, freckle faced man wins his way into your heart as you think of him as “Oppey of Mayberry,” the down home boy of your dreams who experiences life as it comes his way. As he speaks he delivers a message of hope and recovery to everyone and promises a better life.

Bringing a panel of Gamblers Anonymous with him Rick Benson discussed the life destroying addiction of the runaway gambler. He stresses that he does not object to gambling for pleasure when you can afford it. But you must not let it control your life and destroy it along with the lives of those around you.

Addictions Program Administrator Eric Baker gave a very informed presentation on street drugs. Describing the telltale signs of drug abuse, he explained the nature of the beast, how to recognize it and how to deal with it. The so-called club drugs can easily be slipped into your lives without your knowledge and the effects can be devastating.

Whether you are taking the drug willingly, have it forced upon you unsuspectingly, or are a victim because of drug abuse by a loved one, everyone is a loser. You must learn to recognize the problem, seek help and find a solution. Your Family Services are waiting for your call and will assist you 24/seven, according to Benson.

A very extraordinary individual appeared in the form of Don Bartlette. Born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a hair lip and cleft palate, he was cast aside by his family. In time he was rescued by a kind, wealthy woman who recognized his potential as a human being, but did not hand the world to him. She made him work for his own successes.

Giving him jobs she provided him with food and clothing, but made him see that there is no free ride in this life. She encouraged his schooling and admonished him when he didn’t go or did poorly. She gave him the strength and determination to fight for his own future.

Not every Fetal Alcohol Syndrome story has a happy ending, but Bartlette can tell you that you must never give up. His benefactor saw him through seventeen surgeries and a psychology degree. It was a very rocky road with twists and turns along the way, but with her help he was able to find the strength to make the journey.

Others can’t travel the road for you, this is a trip you must take, according to Bartlette. However, if you try hard enough, you will succeed on your own or someone else may recognize your potential and give you a hand up.

Mental Health Counselor Basil Phillips opened with an invigorating piece of music and got right to the meat of his subject.

“By honoring your elders and their values, you can honor yourself and the future generations,” Phillips said. “The legacy they left for you is one that invokes pride and self-respect. Accept the will, be a role model for others and pass the legacy of your people along to your descendents. Through you the Seminole Tribe will prosper and survive.”

Financial wellness walks hand in hand with physical and emotional well being. Nancy Lowery explained that attitudes toward money affect stress and self-esteem. When you are physically fit, you can perform your job better. When you have emotional stability you are in line for higher rewards both in the work place and your personal life. Education can help you learn to take control and make wise decisions that will affect your future and those around you.

Food addiction has one bottom line–early death. Kay Sheppard invoked thought when she pointed out that food addiction not only can trigger diabetes, but suicidal thoughts and fears, lost interest in others and your surroundings. Your self-esteem flies out the window and denial runs rampant.

Using a slide show to enhance her presentation, she concluded by saying, “Recovery is a process, not any event. An event is fixed in time and unchangeable. A process is on going.”

Family Services, under the direction of Helene Buster, put together a delightful skit which was entitled “Relapse! What Now?” This subject affects every family in some way because we are all part of the human experience that involves abuse, recovery, despair and hopefully triumph. If it is not in every household, it unfortunately dwells somewhere within our neighbors. The cast did a wonderful job of writing, producing and portraying the consequences of relapse.

One of the most empowering parts of the conference took place each afternoon as individual speakers offered testimony and members of the audience volunteered their participation. Watching from the sidelines, one could not help but feel their pain and identify with their struggle. This is a very emotional event and invokes deep thought for everyone present. Through personal testimony, you not only see others more clearly but sometimes find the strength to delve into your own recesses and draw strength to make changes.

On the afternoon of July 20 everyone gathered in the conference room for a final review and the long awaited “sobriety countdown.” Helene Buster proudly announced that participants in the morning walk peaked with 70 fitness-minded people. She thanked everyone for their assistance in making the conference possible and reiterated how dependent she was on her staff who had given 100% to make it happen.

Beginning the countdown for years of sobriety, the longest time was 32 years. As Buster called out the years the individuals stepped forward and joined hands making a circle around the room. Total count was 375 years, eight months and 18 days.

A tremendous amount of planning went into this year’s youth agenda which was divided into two age groups. The four to seven year olds enjoyed the “sea life adventure,” which included story telling, crafts, songs, movies and supervised pool activities.

The eight to 15 year olds joined in the fitness program and entertained speakers from the Allied Health department, Basil Phillips, Jerry Moe and Ben Antone. Afternoon activities included the Naples Zoo, charter fishing excursion, the movies and awesome games and swimming activities.

Following each evening meal, there were AA meetings with Andy Buster, Gary and Allen McInturf. The women’s group held their own council with Linda Ling, Denise Alley and Yvonne Courtney. Culture classes with Amy Clay included the crafting of Seminole doll pins and beadwork.

The culmination of a wonderful, productive week came on the evening July 20 when participants met in the ball room for the “Come As Your Favorite Star” party. Costumes ranged from Tonto and the Lone Ranger, Sesame Street, Shrek, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Snow White to a multitude of characters. The room was filled with jubilant party goers who enjoyed a fantastic buffet, followed by an evening of dancing to a marvelous and very versatile band.

The 13th Annual Seminole Wellness Conference is over but its affects will hopefully carry on through the coming year and have a positive lifetime reward for its participants.