PRINCE RUPERT, BC-As a result of repeatedly hearing people's stories of abuse and recognizing the deep negative impact abuse has had on their lives, communities and culture, a group of First Nations leaders were convinced they had to do something. Remaining silent was no longer an option. Further, they believed that as First Nations people they needed to be the ones to rise up and take responsibility to help their own people.

In 1992, they decided to organize a conference to talk candidly about sexual abuse and help restore hope to those who had been abused. They chose the name Rising Above because they believed that with God's help their people could rise above the hurt and pain caused by abuse and experience life, identity and purpose as their Creator intended.

That vision has remained to this day. On June 4-7, 2014, the 21st Annual National Rising Above Conference will be held at the Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The main sessions will address the impact and recovery from sexual abuse and residential school experience. Other prevalent issues such as suicide, self-esteem and grief will be discussed in workshops.

The conference features First Nations speakers who share their personal stories of abuse and healing. Sharing circles and individual professional counseling give attendees opportunity to share their story. Music throughout the conference is provided by the Rising Above band, featuring First Nations singer Howard Jolly.

Following each conference, Rising Above provides conference attendees several program opportunities to further their healing journey and equip them with skills to help others.

According to Terry Martin, Director of Operations for Rising Above, what makes Rising Above unique and effective is that it "deals with underlying root issues that cause pain and dysfunction. Through stories of people who have risen above and through teaching and counseling by trained professionals from a biblical perspective, people connect with their pain at the level of the heart. This is where true and lasting healing begins."

Since the first Rising Above conference in 1992, people across the country have been given the resources to rise above the pain of their past and move forward in their healing journey through new life and hope in Jesus. Here are some comments from impacted people:

"This conference opened my eyes, opened my memories, and gave me hope."

"...they're our people reaching our people... that's what makes it so effective, to see our own people presenting on issues of sexual abuse and their personal experience to relate to it, you know it's not just something that's head knowledge, it's a heart knowledge, it's personal stories that opens up our eyes and say hey if they can get that far in life then what's stopping me from getting there..."

"I thought I would have to give up my (Native) identity if I wanted God in my life, but I know now I don't have to."

Jan Uttley

The conference will be led in worship by Howard Jolly and the Rising Above Band.

Success is measured not only in terms of the many individual stories of healing but also in ways that cannot be measured in this generation because when one individual is empowered to 'rise above,' succeeding generations in that person's family and community are helped.

For more information, visit http://www.risingabove.ca or email: registration@risingabove.ca or call 1-888-777-1380 or 250-624-6180 ext 23 (local).