Schedule

This year the schedule consists of two parts:

the morning program, which honors Rita through discussion and exploration of traditional healing

the afternoon program, which consists of a traditional honoring ceremony and gathering

Lunch will be a potluck. Please bring a dish to share.

08:30 AM Opening Prayer and Permission to Hold Meeting
09:00 AM Opening and Introductions, Master of Ceremonies: Larry Merculieff, Deputy Director of Alaska Native Science Commission
Keynote Presentation - R. Dale Walker, M.D., (Cherokee), Director, One Sky National Resource Center for American Indian / Alaska Native Substance Abuse Services: Traditional and Contemporary Medicine as Partners in Healing
09:45 AM Panel Discussion 1: Traditional Healing Practices, What we know, what we do, what barriers we face in treating our patients. Presenters: Larry Merculieff, Jerome Oates, Health Consultant, Babette Galang, Complementary Health Officer, and Rita Blumenstein, Traditional Healer.
11:15 AM Panel Discussion 2: The Road Ahead in Medical Practice. Presenters: Jason Harmon, Avanti Medical Clinic, Robert Morgan, Dinlishla Associates, Ray Pastorino, Providence Family Medicine, Lyn Freeman, Mind Matter Research, Kauila Clark, Traditional Practitioner in the Healing Arts and Chair of the Integrated Medicine Committee, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center in Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii.
12:30 PM Potluck Lunch
01:30 PM Welcome by UAA Chancellor, Elaine Maimon
Honorable Mayor Mark Begich, Declaration of February 18th as Rita Blumenstein Day
South Central Foundation Representative: To Be Announced
Willy Templeton and Mary Reeve, UAA Native Student Services; Babette Galang and Gayle Bonham, Hawaiian Delegation
02:15 PM Rita Blumenstein
02:45 PM Presentation of the "Honoring our Wisdom Keepers" award (Inez Larson, Vonice Larson, Michelle Quam, and Duane Sherwood)
03:00 PM Speakers to be announced.
03:15 PM Honoring Dance, Friendship Dance.
05:00 PM Conclusion of the honoring activities.
Start of the First Annual Fur Rondy Pow-Wow at Romig Junior High School.