Julie Smith, an NDSU doctoral student in counselor education and supervision, is coordinating a national cultural emersion conference for counselors.

The White Earth Reservation Educational Institute is set for June 5-12 on the White Earth Indian Reservation. The National Board of Certified Counselors International is putting on the event with the help of Smith’s coordination.

This is the organization’s first cultural institute in the United States. Past events have been held in Africa and Europe.

“The event will create opportunities for nationally certified counselors to get a good understanding of life on the reservation,” said Smith, who comes from the White Earth Nation.

Fifteen nationally certified counselors were selected to attend the conference.

Smith was awarded a National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation minority fellowship for doctoral students and presented a workshop at the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 7th Gathering in New Zealand in November 2015.

She also is working toward an American Indian Public Health certificate through the Master of Public Health program at NDSU.

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