Sonoma’s Hanna Institute to examine indigenous mindfulness practices

Yellow Bird’s work focuses on indigenous peoples’ health, leadership, and cultural rights; decolonizing social work approaches; neuro-decolonization and mind body approaches; and traditional mindfulness and contemplative practices.|

The Hanna Institute is hosting Michael Yellow Bird as its first featured speaker of its 2019 networking breakfast series. Yellow Bird will offer insights into “decolonizing the mind,” with a focus on indigenous mindfulness practices and their capacity to foster more equitable communities.

Yellow Bird is coauthor of the books, “For Indigenous Minds Only” and “Decolonizing Social Work.” He is a citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes, which include Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara. He has taught at the University of British Columbia, University of Kansas, Arizona State University and Humboldt State University, and is professor and director of the Tribal Indigenous Studies program at North Dakota State University.

According to the Hanna Institute, Yellow Bird’s teaching, writing, research and community work focuses on indigenous peoples’ health, leadership and cultural rights; decolonizing social work approaches; decolonizing war and military service; neuro-decolonization and mind-and-body approaches; neuroscience and indigenous peoples; traditional mindfulness and contemplative practices; and the rights of Mother Earth.

“Sharing the neuroscience behind centuries-old practices of community healing through social gatherings and doing experiential exercises will make for a fun and thought-provoking event,” said Nick Dalton, Hanna Institute co-director.

The “Decolonizing the Mind” breakfast is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 14. Tickets are $30 per person at hannainstitute.org. Hanna Institute is at 17000 Arnold Drive.

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