Cari Herthel, Vice Chair of the Esselen Tribe, reckons with the complex and intergenerational trauma caused by human trafficking. As a survivor, Cari offers personal reflection, deep truths, and authenticity to connect with others and raise awareness for protecting our relatives; By experiencing and continuing ancestral practices —“I now know that it is a connection to my culture, it is a connection to my value, that allows me to regulate my unhealed trauma.”
Cari is a member of the Esselen and Rumsen Ohlone Tribes of Monterey County. Cari is a survivor leader, speaker consultant, resource specialist and engaged coalition partner based in Monterey County, California.
Following her own recovery from sexual exploitation, Cari has worked for 27 years as a Recovery Resource Specialist in the areas of trauma, drugs and alcohol. Her trainings go beyond trauma into complex intergenerational and traditional trauma. Due to her personal experience and as a child of the California welfare system, she focuses on issues concerning the welfare of children. California agencies seek her advice and consultancy to create Native American policies and procedures for children around education and prevention of sex trafficking.
She is on the advisory leadership council of the Sovereign Bodies Institute.
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Resources:
National Human Trafficking Hotline : 1 (888) 373-7888, SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO"), Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week. Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages. Website: http://humantraffickinghotline.org
Recognizing signs of trafficking: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs
Combating Trafficking : Native Youth Toolkit (Administration for Children and Families)
Human Trafficking Resource Guide (Center for Native American Youth)
Sex Trafficking Resources (National Indigenous Womens Resource Center)
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Indigenae theme song: “Nothing Can Kill My Love For You” by Semiah
Instagram: @semiah.smith
Find her on Youtube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.