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April 4, 2008

Native Women’s Journey to Wellness is May 2

The Native Women’s Journey to Wellness conference is slated for Friday, May 2, 2008 in Missoula at the Hilton Garden Inn from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

According to Karan Kunz of the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program, Native American women who attend the conference will come away better prepared to help people in their communities who are fighting cancer.

“We invite all Native American women who are interested in learning to engage their community as a leader in the fight against cancer to attend this conference,” Kunz said. “Participants will learn about the resources and crucial support systems that are available.”

The registration deadline is Tuesday April 22, 2008. Cost to attend is $35 and includes lunch. The conference brochure and registration information is available online at:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/cancer-control/JourneytoWellness.shtml

Scholarships for mileage reimbursement are available on a first-come basis. Funds are limited and are intended for applicants who do not have opportunities to attend health conferences through their employment. For scholarship information contact Lita Pepion at (406) 208-5779 or e-mail Lita@CRLHealth.com.

Below is a brief bio of the four featured conference speakers.

  • Janet Robideau is executive director of the Indian People's Action of Montana. She is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Robideau will be presenting during the morning session.


  • Maxine Janis is a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe. Currently, she is a visiting assistant professor in the Dental Hygiene Department at Northern Arizona University. Maxine’s career spans public health, private practice and education. She has presented and speaks passionately to Native American people on the subject of holistic health and wellness. Janis will speak at 1:30 p.m.


  • Martha Spotted Eagle is a member of the Blackfeet tribe. Currently she works for the Blackfeet Tribal Health and is a subcontractor for the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program that serves the Blackfeet reservation. Spotted Eagle will speak at 3 p.m.


  • Marquetta “Kitty” Felix is a social worker in the Fetal Alcohol Prevention Program at the Missoula Health Department. Kitty was instrumental in forming the Intertribal Wellness Council and continues to be involved in women’s health and wellness promotion in Missoula. She is a member of the Montana American Indian Women’s Health Coalition. Felix will speak at 3:30 p.m.

Also, the luncheon speaker will be Mike Beers, who is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. Beers will lighten things up with some comedy through his talk ‘Laughter is Good Medicine.’

For more information contact Charlotte Kelley at 406-444-7858 or chkelley@mt.gov


Page last updated: 04/04/2008