Litefoot Shares Message of Community Healing Through Love

On November 3-6, 75 attendees met at Kluti-Kaah Hall for two back-to-back conferences on the topics of child and elder abuse prevention and healthy relationships. The conference was sponsored by the Copper River Native Association (CRNA). 

The featured guest speaker was Gary “Litefoot” Davis, an actor and musician from the Cherokee Nation who is actively involved in promoting indigenous rights and well-being around the country.

Davis is a rapper with eight award-winning albums. He also has an impressive background in film and is perhaps best known for playing the titular role in the 1995 movie, “The Indian in the Cupboard.”

Davis began his afternoon presentation on Monday by showing his eleven-minute film called “Strong Hearts: An Indigenous Love Letter to my Sons,” the message he wants to share with every indigenous child, especially his own three children. Davis mentioned growing up in a dysfunctional family and described his dreams for something more stable for his own kids. 

In the film, Davis states he wants to “end generational trauma and instability, starting with our little family.” One of the messages he tells his children in the film is to be proud of their Indigenous heritage. “Grow your hair,” he tells his boys. “Sing your songs … Be proud of everything that makes you who you are.”

Recurring themes in Davis’s message at the conference were the power of prayer, self-love, and community in breaking cycles of generational trauma. He also spoke about the importance of self-sufficiency and a strong work ethic. A telling sign of Davis’s impact as a speaker was the increase in attendance from around two dozen to at least fifty a day by midweek.

The conference was organized by Michelle LeBlanc, CRNA’s Tribal Child Welfare Services Coordinator. Nick and Lorraine Jackson served as honorary elders, Kathryn McConkey was the Culture Bearer, and Lucy Pete led crafts. Lunches each day were catered by Cast Iron Cafe. 

LeBlanc expressed thanks to Kluti-Kaah for donating the hall and sponsoring Friday’s resource day, Gulkana Village for providing lodging and transportation for Davis, and Tazlina Village for providing books and resources.

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