Medicine Story

TRIBAL HEALING COUNCIL
METTANOKIT OUTREACH

THE TRIBAL HEALING COUNCIL APPROACH
TO ELIMINATE ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

1. INTRODUCTION

A. STORYTELLING PROGRAM

B. LECTURE WITH VIDEO CASSETTES

2. ADULT PROGRAM.

A. MONTHLY PARENT'S MEETING

B. WEEKLY TRIBAL HEALING COUNCIL MEETINGS

C. TRIBAL CEREMONIES

D. MONTHLY REPORTS TO TRIBAL COUNCIL

3. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

A. INDIAN WAY SCHOOL (WEEKLY OR MORE OFTEN)

B. PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS

C. YOUNG PERSONS' CIRCLE

4. COUNSELING PROGRAM

A. WEEKLY TRAINING CLASS FOR LEADERS

B. SPECIAL COUNSELING FOR FAMILIES AND PEOPLE IN CRISIS

This program has two important thrusts. One is through education for both children and adults about the nature of addiction and substance abuse and also about traditional tribal values. This is done through special lectures and regular meetings. A primary resource for the educational aspects is the Four Worlds Development Project of Canada, which has as its goal the elimination of alcoholism and drug abuse among native people in Canada by the year 2000.

The other is through the training of key leaders in the techniques of re-evaluation counseling. This system is the best for native communities for several reasons. It is the only organized system that puts the entire process in the control of the community, making the people their own "experts". Therefore it increases the individual's sense of self-worth and power to control his or her own life and environment. It is the only system which understands the causes of all social ills as oppression by social systems and has a world-wide support system to combat this oppression and liberate all people.