Our Stories, Ourselves Panel Conversation

Panelists Janice Bad Moccasin (Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota), Marian Hassan, Kinshasha Kambui, and Billy Lor will discuss how we carry personal and collective trauma, grief and losses, including those experienced over the last few years. Panelists with share how their cultures, beliefs and community help them remain engaged in life and the transition towards hope and healing. Moderated by Carolyn Holbrook. Opening poem read by Diane Wilson. Collaborator: More Than a Single Story. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Register Here: https://bit.ly/Oct24panel

PANELIST BIOS
Janice Bad Moccasin, a Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota enrolled tribal member resides in Shakopee, MN. Her educational background in Psychology and mentorship in community healing has been in Healing and Grief work that she contributes to her tribal communities. Navigating in an uncommon role and practice of a Winyan woman of spiritual leadership of carrying forward Dakota traditional tribal burials practices and beliefs. Also provides end of life spiritual care and support to many Native American families. “Her love for the people has been earned thru the rites of deep listening, knowing where compassion comes from within, and being a consistent healer in supporting families and community.” Janice strives for balance in her life of a spiritual advisor and practices as a Muay Thai MMA combat athlete.

Marian Hassan is an empowering educator and children’s picture book author. As an educator, Marian advises, mentors, and trains many folks about early childhood education, family literacy, program development, evaluation, and coaching. Lately, she has been speaking to dual-language families and teachers about the importance of the home language in developing a second
language. As a writer, her love of literature began at an early age listening to relatives tell tales, a natural backdrop of the rich oral culture of her native Somalia. She is the editor of Crossroads,An Anthology of Resilience and Hope by Young Somali Writers, and author of the soon to be published The ABC’s of Peace, A Somali Lullaby, Bright Star Blue Sky and Dhegdheer: A Scary Somali Folktale. Marian a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Mass Communication, and has done graduate work in Elementary and K-8 education.

Kinshasha Kambui is the owner of Wellness Paradigm, a holistic wellness center dedicated to community healing. Kambui’s work fosters a safe environment that facilitates spiritual, physical, mental and emotional wellness. Kinshasha is a licensed massage therapist and colon hydrotherapist. She holds a Masters Degree in Counseling. She facilitates individual and
community healing and wellness consultations. Kambui has a lifetime commitment to health and wellness. She has produced, hosted and engineered a health program (Health Notes: From the Hearts of a Natural Woman) on KFAI community radio for over thirty years.

Tub Ntxawg Billy Lauj is a Master Hmoob shaman with a wealth of experience in holistic healing and cultural consulting. With over a decade of experience, Billy has performed hundreds of ceremonies in the United States, as well as assisted Hmoob communities in France, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Billy has been invited to keynote and give numerous workshops on Hmong culture and beliefs, as well as on cultural practices and cultural competency. Billy has also served on multiple advisory boards and consulted on films about Hmong culture and beliefs. In addition to his work in shamanism, Billy also teaches classes on Hmong culture, and beliefs and is a content creator on their social media platform called “Hey Billy” where they educate on
Hmong traumas, culture, art, and spirituality.

OPENING POET:
Diane Wilson is a Dakota writer and educator who has published four award-winning books as well as numerous essays. Her novel, The Seed Keeper, received the 2022 Minnesota Book Award for Fiction. She also published a memoir, Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past, that won a 2006 Minnesota Book Award and was selected for the 2012 One Minneapolis One Read program. Her nonfiction book, Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life, received the Barbara Sudler Award from History Colorado. Wilson’s middle-grade biography, Ella Cara Deloria: Dakota Language Protector, was an Honor selection for the 2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award. She is a co-author of a 2022 picture book—Where We Come From. Her essays have been featured in many publications, including We Are Meant to Rise; Kinship: Belonging in a World of Relations; and A Good Time for the Truth. Wilson is a Mdewakanton descendent, enrolled on the Rosebud Reservation.

MODERATOR:
Carolyn Holbrook is Artistic/Executive Director of More Than a Single Story. She is a writer, educator, and an advocate for the healing power of the arts. Her memoir, Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify (Minn2020), won the 2021 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir and Creative Nonfiction. She is co-editor with David Mura of the anthology, We Are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World (Minn & More Than a Single Story 2021), and is co-author with Arleta Little of MN civil rights icon, Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s memoir, Hope In the Struggle (Minn 2019). She has been the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and awards including the Minnesota Book Awards Kay Sexton Award in 2010, and was a 50 over 50 honoree in 2017. She teaches at the Loft Literary Center and other community venues, and at Hamline University, where she won the Exemplary Teacher award in 2014.