Wellness & Women Conference

The very first Wellness & Women Conference was held in February of 1990 in Phoenix, Arizona. This conference was the seventh Indian Health Promotion Conference initiative facilitated by the then-named Health, Urban and Community Programs at the University of Oklahoma.

Program staff, with the help of a Native women’s advisory committee, recognized that the lives of Indian and other women throughout North America had changed dramatically over the years. With these changes came unhealthy behaviors, leading to dysfunctional relationships, high stress levels, lack of physical exercise, substance abuse, and unhealthy sexuality that affected overall wellness. The first conference addressed the issues Indian women face while trying to maintain or attain optimum wellness, including parenting, communication and leadership skills, and spirituality.

From that beginning, the conference grew large enough to divide into both North and South locations in 1994. These conferences have since been held in Portland, OR and San Diego, CA.

Currently, the Wellness & Women’s Conference is being held every other year, with the most recent conference held in April, 2005. This conference alternates with the combined Native Women & Men’s Wellness Conference.

Upcoming HPP Event