Treatment and Recovery: Native American

PopulationsEva Petoskey, M.S.

Director, Anishnaabek Healing Circle Access to Recovery

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan

Greetings Anishnaabek Introduction

(Name-Clan-Place)

Aanii (Hello)

Anishnaabek (Indigenous people of Michigan the Odawa, Ojibwa, and

Potawatomi

Miigwech (Thank you)

Spelling taken from: Eastern Ojibwa-Chippewa-Ottawa Dictionary, Richard A. Rhodes

My Background

Odawa/ Anishnaabekwe : Member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. I have lived in Peshawbestown with my husband and 2 children, for 26 years. Thirty five years of work experience with issues related to wellness, education, evaluation, and culture. Served in tribal government for 6 years and was the Vice-Chairperson of our Tribal Council for 4 years.

Purpose

Provide background on the Anishnaabek of MichiganDiscuss inter-generational trauma and its impact on tribal people today.Discuss key health disparities.Discuss the spiritual and cultural strengths inherent in Native American culture.Discuss approaches for interfacing with tribal communities, families, and individuals in efforts that support prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Our Origins

Anishnaabek creation and migration teachings tell us that we have always resided on turtle island. (North America)A long time ago, based on the visions of the coming of the Europeans, our ancestors began a journey from the Atlantic coast to the great lakes region.This was a spiritual journey guided by the dreams and visions of our ancestors leading us to this beautiful place of vast fresh water.

There are 12 Federally recognized tribes in Michigan. Significant urban Indian populations in Detroit and Grand Rapids

American Indian Population

Approximately 55,607 enrolled members living on or near reservations in 52 of Michigan’s 83 counties.

The most recent US Census estimate of the number of American Indians in Michigan is 69,269. (U.S. Census, Bureau, 2013 Population Estimates, American Community Survey). This is based on persons responding as American Indian only on the census.

Sovereignty

American Indian and Alaska Native tribes are governments with hundreds of treaties, federal laws, and court cases affirming that tribes retain the inherent powers to govern themselves as nations. The federal government works with tribes in a government-to-government relationship. The foundation for successful collaboration between states and tribes is an understanding of and appreciation for tribal sovereignty.

Indian Wars

Loss of Land

Repression of Ceremonial Life

Forced AssimilationPoverty

Anxiety and Depression

Children Removed

Educational Challenges

Change Across the Generations

Every Indian Family Has Experienced These Risk

Factors

Historical Grief and Trauma

The Anishnaabek have endured a remarkable journey over time carrying the seeds of healing deep in our hearts

The grief and trauma resulting from boarding schools, rapid cultural change, lack of economic opportunity, and loss of land have contributed to the high rates of substance abuse and mental health problems experienced by the Anishnaabek families and communities today.

Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Data taken from Michigan Department of Education WebsiteDetailed Results by Item Spreadsheet

Grades 9-12

Alcohol Use (Before Age 13**)

Alcohol Use (Past 30 Days)

Heavy Drinking(Past 30 Days)

Marijuana Use (Before age 13)

Marijuana Use (Past 30 Days)

Made a Plan to Attempt Suicide

(Past 12 Months)

Historical Resilience

The seeds of healing have grown into a strong recovery movement with committed people. Over the past thirty years a grass roots substance abuse recovery movement was born.

Many Anishnaabek left behind the self-perpetuating stereotype of a “hard drinking Indian” and transformed their personal identity into that of a sober culturally strong Anishnaabek

Tribal Governments

. Tribal governments have created behavioral health departments along with policies and procedures to guide the delivery of services including indigenous healing services that are integrated with western approaches.

Tribes have passed laws supporting health, wellness and recovery.

Promising Practices

Indigenous Healing Models based on community empowermentHelping Healers/Peer MentorsCultural Teachings Motivational InterviewingCognitive Behavioral Therapy

Workforce Development

Continuing need to recruit and train new certified addiction counselors and prevention staff.Continuing need to educate non-native staff on how to work effectively with tribal people and communities.Collaboration between certification boards is important. (MCBAP and UMICAD)

An Anishnaabek Perspective

The following slides are based on ideas generated from focus

groups conducted with Anishnaabek people.

To address the needs of families with generational trauma and grief requires specialized training for counselors so they understand the unique history of Native people and the experiences that have led to the deep grief and sadness that many clients carry.

It is important for treatment and recovery support initiatives to recognize the multi-generation nature of substance abuse problems in many Native families. This phenomenon needs to be seen as a reality that must be acknowledged.

Opportunities to Deal with Historical Trauma and Grief

If the treatment system denies the existence of historical trauma then there is little hope for treatment to help break the cycle of addiction in tribal communities.

It is important to seek out and incorporate specialized educational materials and healing activities to address these issues.

Opportunities to Deal with Historical Trauma and Grief

One challenge is the daunting nature of the problems. It is difficult to not feel discouraged. It is difficult to maintain hope. The other challenges related to the multi-generational nature of the substance abuse problem and the resulting community and family communication and trust problems. Jealousy was mentioned as a barrier to moving forward in constructive community healing initiatives.

Challenges

Challenges Faced by the Service System

• Lack of money to support family involvement such as transportation to residential treatment located out of state.

• Families have much unfortunate exposure to deficit models of treatment.

• Lack of finances available to allow for family participation in treatment.

• Lack of adequate specialized programs that are culturally designed for our people.

• Convenient times to allow parents to participate.

Strategy for change

There need to be positive peer role models and mentors available to help support recovery beyond treatment. This is especially critical for people returning to the community from treatment and for youth receiving outpatient

services.

Strategy for change

Recognize that small steps are important.

Never give up on the client or family.

Accept that recovery is a process that takes time and that relapse and resistance to change are a normal part of the process rather than a deficit.

Opportunities Within Family Systems

Learning the spiritual teachings of the Anishinaabek is important. Cultivating the spiritual connection to the sacred places, the land, water, and all other living beings is part of the process of spiritual growth. Cultivating spiritual growth from an Anishinaabek orientation was an important theme. However, developing spiritually through other spiritual and religious affiliations was also mentioned as very helpful to people.

Tribal Recovery Oriented System of Care

Shifting the model of intervention from acute care of individuals to a sustained recovery management approach relies on partnerships with individuals, families and communities. White & Sanders (2004).

Winter Teaching Lodge Behavioral Health Cultural Service Expansion with ATR

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Behavioral Health Residential, Outpatient and Recovery Support Services

Access to RecoveryAnishnaabek Healing Circle2956 Ashmun, Suite ASault Ste. Marie MI 49783(906) 632-6896 www.atrhealingcircle.com

Staff Eva Petoskey, Director Direct line (231-357-4886)

epetoskey@centurytel.net Terri Tavenner, Associate Director ttav@itcmi.org Connie DePlonty, Voucher Coordinator connied@itcmi.org Cora Gravelle, Call In Center Client Access & Outreach cora@itcmi.org Sheila Hammock, Call In Center Client Access & Follow-up

shammock@itcmi.org

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Produced by the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan with Access to Recovery (ATR) Anishnaabek Healing Circle Grant (1H79TI025514) funds from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the agency.