b'Elder SpotlightHonoring Jim & Bonnie ClairmontThe Tribal Youth Resource Center at the We had so many good visits, learned andTribal Law and Policy Institute is grateful to reaffirmed our commitment and prayers for ourbe in relationship with two esteemed elders youth, our beautiful takojas that we had thefrom the St. Paul, Minnesota community: Jim honor to visit with. They sure give us so much(Lakota) and Bonnie (Ho-Chunk) Clairmont. hope for our future. We acknowledge all theJim is a nationally respected traditional youth workers, all the relatives and the tirelesshealer and wisdom keeper and Bonnie has work with our youth in their communities. Wededicated her life to advocating and came away with our hearts filled.improving services for American Indian adultand youth victims/survivors of sexual assault The very presence of Jim and Bonnie at theand domestic violence. conference was a precious gift that we willalways treasure and hold close to our hearts.In the early months of planning for the 2022 Wopila & Pinagigi (Thank you) Jim and BonnieOJJDP Tribal Youth National Conference, for sharing your time, wisdom, encouragement,Jim and Bonnie offered to provide a love, and guidance, and for creating andHealing Space for participants of the holding a Healing Space for three days atconference. The intention was to create a the 2022 OJJDP Tribal Youth Nationalspace for individuals to debrief, Conference.decompress, have some quiet time, or simplyshare their experience with Jim and Bonnie,as some of the topics of the conferencesessions could be triggering for those withpast emotional or physical trauma. Occasionally during the conference, Jim andBonnie could be spotted visiting withconference participants, encouragingpresenters and engaging with the youth.Upon returning home, Bonnie shared thesewords with the (TYRC) team:Bonnie Clairmont and Jim Clairmont5'