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Itasca Area Circle of Heal! talking is octio The Circle of Heeling is o purpose is to take the courageous actions needed to create communities that are culturally aware and considerate of all its residents and visitors. The Circle of Healing was formed after nine people from the Itasca area attended a 2011 White Earth Tribal College workshop on Native American historical trauma. The Circle, which continued for a decade, included dozens of community members - both Native and non -native -and was coordinated by Becky LaPlant of the Blandin Foundation. The project summary describes Its central approach: From that first meeting to the group's conclusion, o Talking Circle was used to convene the group. This way of bringing people together asks that theyspeok honestly and truthfully from the heart and listen attentively to others, without cross talk or Interference when someone else Is speaking, This format was invaluable to the group — strong enough to support them through deeply personal conversations cultarol learning teary laughter and anger — while flexible enough to allow thegroups membership to expand ors their work evolved. As LaPlant put It, "Talking is action." Early on, the Circle adopted as Its core principles the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Gwayakwaadiziiwin (Honesty), Debwewin (Truth), InendiZONin (Humility), Zaaglid iWin (Love), Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom), ZoongidAiwiin (Courage), and Manaaj'iid iiwin (Respect). Over the next decade, Circle of Healing members retained their commitment to these principles. Working from a place of humility and love often meant learning to suspend judgment and arbitrary timeframes. From historical trauma to present life challenges, "people have so much going on," said LaPlant. "And my Timeline doesn't dictate what happens In someone else's community." It is not possible to list in this space all of the Circle of Heallng's many accomplishments, 32