Lenny Hayes
Lenny Hayes, MA, is a citizen of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the northeast corner of South Dakota. Lenny is also owner and operator of Tate Topa Consulting, LLC and is currently in private practice specializing in Marriage Family Therapy. He has extensive training in mental and chemical health issues that impact the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ and Native community. Lenny has traveled nationally and locally training and presenting on the issues that impact both the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ individual and community. These issues include the Impact of Historical and Intergenerational Trauma on this population, violence of all forms, child welfare issues, and the Impact of Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking on Men and Boys which is a topic that is rarely discussed.
Lenny is the former Missing and Murdered Two-Spirit Project Assistant for Sovereign Bodies Institute. Lenny is also a 2020 graduate of the Human Trafficking Leadership Academy Cohort 5.
Lenny is former Chairman of the Board of the MN Two-Spirit Society. As Chairman of the Board of the MN Two-Spirit Society he assisted Native organizations in developing policies in the protection, safety, and non-discrimination of Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Lenny is a Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ Advisory Co-Chair Council Member for SWIWC, formally the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition, Advisory Committee Member for the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center, Capacity Building Center for Tribes, board member for the First Nations Repatriation Institute. He is a former Board of Directors of StrongHearts Native Helpline, former board member of Wac’ ang’a (Sweet Grass) Inc. Victim Services, former Advisory Board Member for the National Quality Improvement Center (QIC) on Tailored Services, Placement Stability and Permanency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Two-Spirit Children and Youth in Foster Care, former Committee Member for ACE-DV Leadership Forum with the National Resource Center for Domestic Violence. and a former Council Member for the MN HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Council, and a former Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ Advisory Committee Member for the Center for Native American Youth, Washington, D.C. He is an Advisory Council Member for many national projects across Indian country. Lenny was selected to be a recipient of the 2018 Bonnie Heavy Runner Advocacy Award at the 16 th National Indian Nations Conference “Justice for Victims of Crime.”
Lenny's worksops at the training
Time |
Day 1 - August 16 |
|
3:00 - 5:00pm |
"Be a Good Relative: Understanding the Impact of Violence on the Two-Spirit & Native LGBTQ+ Community."
Speaker: Lenny Hayes
The presenter will give an overview of information about the historical roles and identities of Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ people and how Native American Historical and Intergenerational Trauma has impacted this community. History tells us that because of the effects of Historical and Intergenerational Trauma this once honored and respected individual is now ostracized within our tribal communities. The presenter will present the high rates of violence and the vulnerabilities of our Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ adult, youth, and community. Ultimately, the Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ community is individually and collectively trying to bring balance, beauty, and acceptance back into our tribal communities. |
Time |
Day 2 - August 17 |
|
11:00am - 12:30pm |
Men’s Panel: Title TBA
Panelists: Jeremy NeVilles-Sorell & Lenny Hayes |