EVANSTON — “I help people move on from trauma and help your body be the best you can be,” said Loni Silver Hawk, owner and operator of Silver Hawk’s Energy Exchange. Silver Hawk said that she’s a shaman, which is “one of the oldest forms of healing. I’m a practitioner interacting through spirit,” she said. “I journey. I see what your spirit needs for you.”

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce recently introduced Silver Hawk and her body work offerings during the May Lunch & Learn at the Legal Tender. Such offerings include reiki, which according to Silver Hawk is “an ancient form of non-invasive healing.”

She explained that trauma presents differently in everyone, and reiki works by clearing trauma and energy congestion and re-establishing a positive flow of energy throughout the body.

Silver Hawk, who has been doing energy work for 14 years, stated that her key principles are “just for today, don’t worry; don’t be angry; be honest, humble and compassionate.” She also said that she’s mindful not to transfer her energy to customers.

“Vet your practitioners, know who you’re dealing with. You want a clear vessel, someone who’s in touch. I’m protected so that I can help you,” Silver Hawk said.

Silver Hawk is also an end-of life doula. She uses a drum made with a horse hide, which she said is a Native American tradition, to usher people to the other side.

“I make sure their final wishes are being met,” she said.

Several drums were on display during her presentation. Silver Hawk explained that each hide has a different meaning and she uses them “like a massage for your spirit body,” she said.

She said that elk hide drums are used to release childhood trauma and addictive patterns. Buffalo hides are the strongest and used for ceremonies and to seek wisdom and guidance from elders. Deer drums target the heart chakra and circulation.

Bear hide drums are considered a “great healer.” They are medicinal and transformational, promoting introspection, solitude and grounding.

Silver Hawk also showcased her sacred pipe, which she said is a spirit all on its own.

“I don’t need them [the drums and pipe], per se, but I like to have them,” she said.

An attendee asked Silver Hawk to explain how a reiki session is conducted. Silver Hawk said she likes to create a comfortable and welcoming environment to start, sometimes she performs a card (tarot and/or oracle) reading, then she performs a white sage smudging.

“I’m just the conduit for the spirit to come through. The reiki knows where to go,” she said.

She utilizes light touch, sound healing tools, tuning forks and drums. She says she’ll also inform her clients what messages and backstories have come through during the session, which can often be deeply buried in the subconscious mind.

“I love getting people to feel better, and to feel better about their day. I want to help you guys take your power back,” she said.

Silver Hawk also conducts soul retrievals, which she describes as “some place in time, something jolted you and a bit of you got stuck there. I journey to find that little bit of your soul and bring it back to you, and you start feeling like you can walk proud again.”

Further Chamber news included announcing next month’s Lunch & Learn featuring Bearded Boombox Productions on June 13 at the Legal Tender at noon. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for non-members and no charge if not eating. 

The chamber is organizing this year’s Brewfest at Depot Square on Saturday, July 27, from 1-5 p.m. Presale tickets through July 24 will be $40, or $50 at the gate.

Bethany Shidler, the soon-to-be new executive director of Disability:IN Uinta County, advertised the upcoming Wanda Rogers Memorial 5k run on July 20 at the Bear River Trail Head beginning at 7:30 a.m.