The Importance of Culturally-Based Treatment for Native People

At the core of Native culture is the belief of interconnectedness that fortified the tribal communities of America for thousands of years prior to the English settlers. Following the attempts to assimilate Native people within western customs, these practices were silenced. Historically, Natives communities have been unable to freely express their traditions without the risk of alienation, relocation or punishment, resulting in intergenerational trauma that continues to negatively impact the individuals within these tribes.

Wellbriety-certified facilitators possess the knowledge and ability to work with tribal guests as they reconnect their spirit to the world and all of its elements, bringing them clarity and wholeness alongside their recovery. Within a culturally-based treatment program, Native people strengthen their connections to the customs of their ancestors and utilize these teachings as a foundation for growth and change in addiction recovery.

The Benefits of a Wellbriety Certification

White Bison is the official facilitator for the Wellbriety Movement. Wellbriety, the combination of sobriety and wellness, symbolizes the commitment to extend beyond abstinence by dedicating each day to the principles of wellness and healing. More specifically, the movement teaches American Natives a sustainable path to recovery from substance use disorders within its culturally-based treatment curriculum.

Through Wellbriety’s cultural education curriculum, White Bison, facilitators are provided an avenue to learn and comprehend the origins and influencing factors of Native American substance use. Facilitator’s who attend a White Bison training event provide culturally-inclusive treatment to benefit the recovery from drugs and alcohol in tribal communities.

Mending Broken Hearts: A White Bison Training Event

Through the White Bison training event, Mending Broken Hearts, facilitator’s gain one of many certification’s from the Wellbriety Movement. Mending Broken Hearts focuses on an approach to addressing intergenerational trauma for the purpose of healing. Mending Broken Hearts teaches about the trauma from stripping away the culture, interconnectedness, elders’ teachings, spirituality, language, values and ceremonies from Native Americans. Historically, this trauma occurred generations ago, as a consequence of mission and boarding schools that the Native American youth were forced into. This shift resulted in trauma— the taking away of an identity, values, having native languages silenced, even sexual and physical abuse.

The pain from this trauma is still felt, seven generations later. We are committed to breaking this cycle. Some of the biggest roadblocks to addiction treatment for Native Americans are addressing this intergenerational trauma, the generations of substance abuse and addiction, generations of shame and generations of abuse. We use the knowledge from this training to address the very real and ever-present root emotions of anger, guilt, shame, and fear— so that we can make room for healing.

What Happens During a White Bison Training Event?

Wellbriety-certified treatment centers dedicate their tribal healing programs to providing compassionate care to tribal members who require treatment for a substance use disorder within a culturally-based program.

Both treatment centers and individual facilitators who elect to participate in a White Bison training event learn culturally-influenced techniques to benefit the recovery from substance use disorder in Native communities. During a White Bison training event, facilitators receive coaching on how to successfully integrate sobriety, recovery, addiction prevention, and wellness practices within Native American and Alaskan Native communities within their Wellbriety-certified treatment program.

As a Wellbriety-certified treatment center, the facility extends its ability to reach tribal members who deserve personalized care that improves their recovery experience. With the knowledge gained during a White Bison training event, Wellbriety-certified facilitators provide individuals the ability to successfully enter a new life of sobriety that is built on their cultural beliefs and values.

Royal’s Tribal Healing Point of Contact

If you are looking to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to reach out to our Corporate Liaison for tribal members, Melissa Hood. With years of experience in the addiction treatment field, Melissa is well-versed in our Tribal Healing Program at Royal Life Centers and works diligently with tribe members to secure the best treatment for those in their community who struggle with substance use disorder.

As a tribal addiction specialist, Melissa works alongside our admissions department as the point of contact for tribal members. She collaborates with tribes, insurance providers, and you to ensure that you receive the quality addiction treatment you need.

Please contact Melissa Hood for additional information and assistance in entering our tribal healing addiction treatment programs.