Healing Through Practice:
Strategies for Addressing Domestic Violence
A tuition-free event, Brought to you by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma & OJS Tribal Justice Support
November 19-20, 2025
at 8:30 am at Choctaw Landing, Hochatown, OK
Expert-led sessions designed to provide advocates, legal professionals, and service providers with hands-on skills and best practices for addressing domestic and interpersonal violence.
Day 1, November 19 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
AGENDA AT A GLANCE (Coming Soon)​
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Breakfast Service | 8:30-9:30 am
Welcoming & Traditional Opening | 9:00-9:30 am
Choctaw Princesses & Choctaw Color Guard
Judge Pierce (Choctaw Nation), District Court Judge, Choctaw Nation Judicial Branch
UNIT 1 | 9:30-10:45 am
Specialized Dockets: Judicial Strategies for Handling Domestic Violence Cases
Ron Whitener
Chief Judge for the Tulalip Tribes (retired), Co-Owner of The Whitener Group
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10:45-11:00 am BREAK
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Unit 2 | 11:00am-12:15 pm
Effective Lawyer-Judge Communication: Best Practices for the Courtroom
Caroline LaPorte
Associate Judge, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Court
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12:15-1:15 pm LUNCH
Unit 3 | 1:15-2:30 pm
Behind Closed Doors: Strategies for Addressing Familial Elder Abuse
Jacqueline Gray
Ph.D, Tribal Consultant
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2:30-2:45 pm BREAK
Unit 4 | 2:45-4:00 pm
Patterns of Pursuit: Identifying and Responding to Stalking
Natalie Ivey
Training and Criminal Justice Specialist for the Stalking, Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), an Aequitas initiative
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Wrap Up | 4:00-4:30 pm
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END OF DAY 1
Day 2, November 20 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Breakfast Service | 8:30-9:30 am
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Day 1 Reflections | 9:00-9:30 am
Unit 5 | 9:30am-10:45 am
The Science and Power of Hope
Dr. Chan M. Hellman
Proffessor -- Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, Director-- Hope Research Center, University of Oklahoma
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10:45-11:00 am BREAK
Unit 6 | 11:00-12:15 pm
Foundations of Interpersonal Violence: Essential Tools and Strategies for Effective Prevention and Intervention
Suzanne Gray
Workforce Development Manager at Community Action Partnership of Oregon
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12:15-1:15 pm LUNCH
Unit 7 | 1:15-2:30 pm
Promoting Safety and Healing: Working with Children and Teens with Problematic Sexual Behavior
Jimmy Widdifield, Jr.
Director, Grant Training and Resources, National Children’s Advocacy Center
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2:30-2:45 pm BREAK
Unit 8 | 2:45-4:00 pm
Culturally Informed Case Planning: Supporting Children’s Safety in Domestic Violence Cases
Rita Hart, MSW
Project Consultant, Apelasv Consultant Services, LLC
Closing | 4:00-4:30 pm
End of Training
Oklahoma Continuing Education
Those who intend on receiving credits must sign in and sign out with their accurate contact information at registration.
Questions or need a certificate of completion? Email trainings@whitenergroup.biz after the event.
CLE Credits Are Pending Submittal
10 CEUs
The Whitener Group is an approved CE provider with the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure, awarding up to 10 CE hours based on actual hours attended.
Book Your Stay at Choctaw Landing
November 18-21, 2025​​​
272 OK-259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728
Room Block Deadline: Nov. 4, 2025
Tower King: $159 + Tax & Fees
Tower Queen: $159 + Tax & Fees
Phone: Call 580-494-2237 & use offer code WHITENER
Online: here & use offer code WHITENER
