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Community healing circles scheduled to support health and wellbeing

Residents are invited to attend a series of virtual and in-person community healing circles to address the hurt and trauma caused by the killing of George Floyd last summer and civil unrest that followed, the ongoing trial and the killing of Daunte Wright in April. These circles are led by experienced individual healers who are embedded in the community and use their lived experiences, expertise and training to facilitate a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment for participants to express themselves.

These healing circles, organized in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, are at the center of the county’s trial response plan and one of the ways we support the health and wellbeing of our community during these difficult times. We cannot understate the impact the trials in Minneapolis and the events surrounding them may have on the well-being of our communities – particularly our communities of color – regardless of the ultimate outcomes.

Conversations will not be recorded, and attendees do not need to share any personal data to participate.

In-person healing circles

COVID-19 safety

All in-person healing circles will adhere to Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health COVID-19 safety guidelines. Seating will be spaced appropriately 6 feet apart and all attendees will be be required to wear face masks. Hand sanitizer will also be available. Capacity will be limited based on social distancing.

Virtual healing circles

Contact

If you have questions about the healing circles, please contact the facilitation team.

Healers

  • Yolonde Adams-Lee: Specializes in conducting healing circles for both mental health as well as chemical dependency clients and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
  • Nancy Avila: Specializes in Energy Work, Sacred Listening, songs, ceremony and sacred medicine. Certified minister and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
  • June Blue: Specializes in Indigenous Cultural Healing.
  • Nancy Bordeaux: Specializes in working with historical and current trauma intervention and healing, offers teachings on traditional/cultural holistic health and wellbeing, hands-on self-care and healing practices.
  • Renee Butters: Specializes in Energy Healing, Myofascial Release, aromatherapy and Native American/Indigenous healing, is a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, Certified Hands on Healer, Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Sexual Assault Advocate, Reiki Master Teacher and Myofascial Release Practitioner.
  • Sierra Carter: Founder of The Zen Bin, conducting community healing, self-care, self-healing and holistic wellness.
  • Camille M. Cyprian: Specializes in ceremonies, circles, some Hoodoo spiritual and root workings (medicines, oils, salves and& topicals), mindfulness/meditation, some somatic movement.
  • Serene Eidem: Specializes in constructing trauma informed peacemaking sessions, providing health /life coaching for at risk families, and energy healing services; is certified as a Reiki Master, Healing Touch Practitioner (level III,) Family Spirit Home Visitor, DV/SA Advocate and SCOUT Peacemaker.
  • Irreducible Grace Foundation: Specializes in fostering voice, breath-work, movement, somatic healing and fostering community; the work is led by youth and young adults of color teaching from their lived experiences with healing from trauma and life trials.
  • Amoke Kubat: Is a spiritual elder of IFA/Orisa tradition and specializes in Destiny Work, divination, prayers, purification, and offerings. Is a retired Special Education teacher and practiced re-evaluation co-counselling for 40 years.
  • Shirlynn LaChapelle: Specializes in conducting healing circles for both mental health as well as chemical dependency clients; is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
  • Tolulope Ola: Specializes in holistic wellness, African storytelling, gratitude meditation and sound healing.
  • Chamath Perera: Specializes in mindfulness practices (movement, breath, meditation, storytelling, listening), organizational development, facilitation and circle keeping; approach is influenced by the indigenous culture of Sri Lanka.
  • Marika Reese: Specializes in healing through oral sharing, community focused sharing, faith and sacred circles; is the Co-founder and chair of the Community Healing Team in Minneapolis.
  • Brittany L. Wright: Specializes in storytelling, healing circles for mothers, music/poetry making sessions, and Sacred Woman/Kemetic (Ancient African) spiritual rituals; is a Certified healing justice practitioner through the Orange Method of Healing Justice created by Community Healer and Elder Dr. Joi Lewis.

Additional resources

Subscribe to updates on the State of MN vs Derek Chauvin webpage.

The Minneapolis Police Department, along with other metro public safety agencies, have established Operation Safety Net, a coordinated effort among federal, state and local agencies to develop plans to respond to any civil unrest while making sure people are safe. Operation Safety Net social media channels will provide official, accurate and up-to-date information about public safety response and activities surrounding the trial:   

Posted on Monday, March 22, 2021 - 3:17 p.m.