10/06/2026
On September 28, 2026, the Nez Perce Tribe Students for Success program in collaboration with the Himyu Hinewi council hosted a one-day gathering focused on intergenerational trauma, breaking the cycle of trauma, reconnection, and healing.
Adults in their healing journey are commended (rightfully so) for choosing a healthy path after incarceration, treatment, or other traumatic experiences. As adults we know what broke our world apart and try to address it through a variety of ways, which can include counseling, therapy, traditional medicines, sweat, wellbriety, etc., so that we can become healthy again. Sometimes lost in our own challenges and in our own healing journey is that we broke apart the world of our kids and they need to heal as well.
Our youth council members brought to our attention that as youth and young adults, they feel they are forgotten about and are expected to deal with the trauma that their parents/guardians subjected them to by themselves. Some youth suggested that they are shamed into not speaking up about it and should just be happy that they have their parents back in their lives. Their unresolved trauma, their grief, and their pain may lead them down the same path that their parents went down, so the cycle of trauma continues. These brave youth are using their voice to try and break that cycle. They want people to consider them when they are helping their parents in recovery or during and after traumatic events.
This one-day conference was intended to bring awareness to the community about what our youth are going through and how to start the conversations on how we can help them as a community. Conversations create the future. We cannot erase the past, but we can help ensure our present and the future are healthy and strong for our families and communities. Some key takeaways from the conference:
• As a parent, rebuilding the relationship with your child requires staying consistent in showing your presence, in your affection, and in your actions. Building trust takes time.
• As a youth, when the parents are not in the picture, having supportive friends or a youth council that influences you in a positive way can help you refrain from falling through the cracks and becoming an addict yourself or making other unhealthy decisions.
• As a parent, taking accountability for the actions that may have harmed your children is an important step for everyone’s healing, but to not feel ashamed about it. Transparency can help, depending on their age and maturity. Working together to heal as a family can help with forgiveness and reconnection.
We would like to thank the panel discussion members (Lydia Wheeler and Josh Henry) for sharing their personal stories and helping guide the direction for next steps. Thank you to Andre Picard Jr. for your songs and strong words of wisdom!
Thank you to NAHOVA/Himyu Hinewi member Graciela Broncheau because she was awarded a grant from the Aspen Institute to help host this conference. Thank you to Layson Morrell, who helped us to centralize the topic and guided us on panel questions. We are grateful for their work toward organizing this conference!
Thank you to the Students for Success staff! Thank you to Jasmine Higheagle for her guidance!
Thank you, Wade McGee, for volunteering his time to help us out for this great cause!! We were truly blessed with your presence!
And thank you to all the programs and people who helped by donating door prizes, setting up information booths, or sharing resources!
