January 19, 2006 for immediate release

Up to 80 delegates from across Canada will be attending the fifthannual National Peer Support Conference, which will be held at UNBCstarting next Friday, January 27.

The focus of the conference will be on models of counselling and peersupport that incorporate aboriginal and First Nations perspectives onhealth and healing into a peer-counselling model. Sessions will cover avariety of topics: building peer support programs, happiness, copingwith stress, sexual health, and the significance of the talking circleand medicine wheel. There will also be a panel discussion on theeffectiveness of music, storytelling, and writing to leadership,health, and wellness.

“Since 2000, UNBC has had a successful peer support network thatannually involves more than 20 students,” says Sandra MacDonald ofUNBC’s First Nations Centre. “We know that students are often morecomfortable talking with other students than with those in positions ofauthority and our aim has been to train students to be effective peercounsellors. This includes understanding western counselling practicesas well as aboriginal approaches to health and well-being. It’s ourparticular focus that will be explored during the national conferencehere and the students involved with our peer support network have beenamong those organizing the conference.”

The conference will feature a number of presenters:
•    Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, author of Coyote Medicine, Coyote Healing, and Coyote Wisdom
•    UNBC Psychology professor Sherry Beaumont
•    Lakota elder Alden Pompana
•    Paul Michel, Director of UNBC’s First Nations Centre
•    Social workers Cathy Denby and Greg Beattie

“Finding the Balance: The 5th Annual National Peer Support Conference”is sponsored by UNBC, the Metis Elders Society, and the Ramada Hotel.

Contact:
Sandra MacDonald, First Nations Centre, UNBC - 250.960.5772
or Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622