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Describe the philosophy of "Wellbriety".
"Wellbriety" is a term that was conceived by White Bison, an American Indian nonprofit organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded by Don Coyhis of the Mohican Nation, White Bison offers healing resources to Native American communities. "Wellbriety" refers to recovery and sobriety not just from alcohol and drugs, but to a richer existence that includes wellness and wholeness. A person living a healthy and sober lifestyle that is balanced emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually, someone who, as Don Coyhis puts it, is "…going beyond survival to thriving in one's own life and the life of the community," has achieved wellbriety. Wellbriety also emphasizes community development of interconnected resources and strategies to address prevention, treatment, intervention and recovery needs. The term "Wellbriety" really goes beyond just substance use, and embraces overcoming violence, gambling, physical or health problems, and a variety of social ills that can potentially affect us as Native people, or people in general.
Sacred Hoop journeys, sponsored and initiated by White Bison throughout the United States, also help strengthen communities. On these journeys of many thousands of miles, Native communities receive and carry the sacred 100 Eagle Feather Hoop of the Nations, which bears the gifts of Healing, Hope, Unity and the Power to Forgive the Unforgivable. These journeys bring together Native nations for healing ceremonies, prayers, and recovery/healthy activities.
What are some unique cultural traits of the Native American community and how has Native American history, culture, and belief systems influenced the health and wellness of the community?
We are an extremely diverse group of people with a tight circle of communication. We differ a lot from tribe to tribe and region to region - language, ceremonies, dress, food. Yet we can come together at an intertribal pow wow or Gathering of Native Americans, and always know someone and have friends, family or extended family in common. That often amazes me.
In spite of our tribal differences, we share the experience of history and all that that brings with it - the boarding school experience, colonialism, relocation, and many trails of many tears. I believe the element of historical grief and trauma is unique to our community. It's true that other cultures have experienced similar trauma, but the extent of violence and loss still has strong effects on today's Native families and some of our relocation and sterilization programs are only forty to fifty years in the past.
Some statistics talk about Natives as being among the most disadvantaged and economically depressed and while that may be true in many regions, many of us are protective of our communities, our families and our people, and don't want a negative stereotype imposed upon us. We are artistic and talented people - I've worked in treatment facilities where Indian youth used these expressive arts very effectively to tell their stories and heal.
We have a wonderful and unique sense of humor. The most beautiful music to my ears is a group of older Indian women sitting in a circle and giggling like children. Humor gets us through many tight spots. And finally, we have a lot of strength in our culture and our traditions - it has helped us to survive in spite of efforts to acculturate us. It's been a struggle, but we have maintained our languages and ceremonies, our sacred fires and our future.
What is it important for those outside the community to know when working with Native Americans in recovery from substance misuse?
More than knowledge of theory or books, they should have just the basic skills of listening, respecting others, realizing what strength it takes to come in and ask for help, and acknowledging what one gives up when he or she chooses to go into treatment -- freedom, privacy, control, etc. In a perfect world, anyone who applied for a job to work in a residential treatment center for youth or adults, would first have to be a resident themselves for two weeks and experience what it's like and how important that respect is. Then, perhaps there would be more humanity in some treatment facilities. People in treatment have survived all kinds of adversity, unimaginable things.
It's also helpful to realize that not all Native people are traditional in their beliefs. In fact, frequently people who seek recovery have lost their ties to their culture and their community and the process of healing helps them to find those connections again. It helps them become stronger and have a greater sense of their roots and therefore, their future direction.
Then, from that basic foundation of respect, should be the knowledge of theories, interventions, confidentiality, ethics. A knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment for sexual abuse and violence, and ways to help someone recover from attachment disorder and the anxiety and uncertainty associated with the lack of bonding or belonging would be helpful.
Any common misperceptions regarding the Native community?
Probably the most common misperception is that Native Americans are the same -- the ethnic gloss. Yet there are over 500 tribes and each of those are associated with different regions and language groups. Each tribe has elements of their culture that is specific to them and a history that is their own.
Then there are the stereotypes that we still battle on a daily basis, the drunken Indian, the quiet Indian, etc. Even basic myths such as the misperception that Indian people get a "free ride," we don't pay taxes, we go to school free, and we have free health care. We don't ride free, we do pay taxes, and educational funds are need-based, just as the Pell Grants and other scholarships available to all students in America are. Our health care, though severely limited, is a result of treaties that were established for much of the land that America is now living on.
On the topic of health care, it's important to note that Indian Health Service is the primary provider of health care for Indians -- its annual per capita for Indian health is $1,430 while the average for all U.S. citizens is $3,766. IHS deals with diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, liver disease and yet, the system has only 36 hospitals, 61 health centers, 49 health stations and 5 residential treatment centers to serve the number of Native people living on reservations, in urban and in rural areas throughout the entire United States. Waiting lists are long and specialized services are severely limited. [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service Fact Sheet, updated March 29, 2004].
Those are just some of the misperceptions -- unfortunately there are many more, exploitation of spirituality, racism, discrimination. However, in spite of the misperceptions and exploitations, Native people are strong and we have maintained our culture and established a place that is our own. We now have many more Native professionals -- doctors, psychologists, policy makers, even a senator or two, and that speaks to our strength and our ability to focus on our future.
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