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Integrated World Arts Inc.
...a collaboration of arts and artists
188 Hanes Drive #39, DuBois, PA 15801
Workshops and Programs for Educators
Dennis Bussell is the President and Director of Integrated World Arts Inc. a non-profit cultural arts organization. He is of Cherokee descent and was raised around Native American Culture. Dennis has a great understanding and knowledge of Native American art forms, customs and ceremonies. He is a living example of contemporary Native America and enjoys sharing his traditions with others. Dennis has been awarded the distinction of pipe carrier for the Cherokee people.
Dennis facilitates workshops for audiences of all ages and abilities, passing on his message of the importance of preserving one's heritage. He believes that you have to know where you've been to know where you're going. His programs focus on de-mystifying stereotypes, emphasize respect for your own heritage and acceptance of others. Dennis speaks at local elementary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, conferences, and various community organizations. He brings the experience and training to IWA of generations of ancestors.
Dennis has worked with youth at risk for many years. In the past, he was employed as Director of Special Programs at a local placement facility. He has served as Community Service Liaison at the DuBois Area High School. Dennis conducts regular programming at the preschool, elementary, middle and high school levels in DuBois and the surrounding areas. He travels extensively in the capacity of consultant and motivational speaker.
Dennis also conducts ongoing classes in the community on a variety of topics including Martial arts and Native American Traditions. He is certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), Adventure-Based Learning and has trained in the Circle of Courage/Reclaiming Youth Philosophy. Dennis speaks annually at the Correctional/Alternative Education Conference in Altoona, PA, and served as a presenter at the Reclaiming Youth International Conference in the Black Hills in July 2005.
His most recent accomplishment has been the publication of his article, The Inside Kid: A Little Light in a Dark, Dark Night, co-authored by Mark Freado and Jeffrey McCombie and published in the Reclaiming Children and Youth Journal of Strength Based Interventions , which is an international journal.
Current program offerings include the following:
NATIVE AMERICAN OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Dennis Bussell will speak to students about the Cherokee culture and traditions, as well as the Thanksgiving holiday. It is his hope to instill in them the desire to learn about their own heritage as well as stressing the importance of respecting others. He brings many of his ceremonial items to display and also teaches the students a Cherokee welcoming song. For the older students he will also touch on the importance of being a good steward to the earth. A brief discussion on the importance of dreams will also take place along with an overview of the unique qualities of animals. All presentations are geared toward the age and comprehension levels of the students.
TALKING STICK CEREMONY
In this workshop, Dennis introduces a Native American tradition, which emphasizes the need to communicate. The Talking Stick ceremony teaches us how to listen to others and gives us the opportunity to be heard as well, even when we don't agree. That basic need to be heard never leaves us. Everyone has a right to be heard.
Students are first introduced to this ceremony with Dennis' own talking stick and are then encouraged to make their own. This program is a great way to give students the tools they need to work out their differences through communication.
Students are taught from the framework that we respect the viewpoints of others, that what is shared in the circle is confidential and not discussed outside the circle, and that this is a sacred ceremony of indigenous people, spanning many years.
This workshop is even more powerful when the staff and teacher join in. Each participant is given three minutes to speak and then it is time to pass the stick. Communication is often a problem with our children today. They find it difficult to communicate without being reprimanded for showing their emotions or for their language being out of control. This workshop is a wonderful way to teach them both how to listen and how to respond.
Dennis currently uses this program in the DuBois Area School District, both in the Alternative Education programs and in mean stream education. Teachers find it is a great way to begin the day and students have said that they feel it enables them to get to know each other better.
THE MEDICINE WHEEL
In this program, Dennis discusses the Native American belief in cycles and movement. He shares from the medicine wheel the four essentials for a balanced life: Belonging; Mastery; Independence; and Generosity.
Dennis shares the importance of these concepts as children and also how to reclaim them as adults. These basic needs never leave us. Though we may not have had these elements present in our lives as children, we can claim them and make them a part of our lives and healing today and in the future.
Dennis uses pictures to illustrate these concepts. This program has been used in public schools, placement facilities, and most recently at an in-service training for educators in the public school system.
COUP FEATHER WORKSHOP
In this workshop Dennis introduces the Native tradition of the coup (victory) feather. He shares the story of how indigenous people have used coup feathers. Coup feathers were given for demonstrations of bravery or compassion for others.
Dennis will lead the class in a guided meditation accompanied by his flute and drum, taking the class to a safe place. He shows participants how to effectively heal from past challenges and pain. He encourages them to visit their sacred space over and over again for future healing. Following the meditation, each participant is awarded a feather to decorate and wrap in the traditional way. This acts as a physical reminder, commemorating the victory over the challenges they have faced.
This program has been used in both at-risk and mainstream education populations as well as in placement facilities. It has been met with great success.
Dennis encourages staff and teachers to join in and participate in this and all of his workshops.
LIFE STORIES OF RESILIENCE
Come and hear about Dennis share his life story of resilience, and the factors that made him recover against all odds. A story of abuse and abandonment, it is a story of pain and suffering, but also one of hope in times of despair.
A LITTLE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT
Learn about one man's journey through broken promises, addiction, incarceration and finally new hope. He will share his story from a framework of the institutions of family, community, church, school, social agencies and government. What risk and protective factors did these agencies afford him on his life's journey?
For more information or to arrange programs for your organization, you may contact Integrated World Arts by phone at 814-371-4130 or by email at  .
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