“Walking the Red Road: Acknowledging the Trauma of Addiction and the Hopes for Spiritual Recovery from a Cultural, Holistic Lens”
~by Kathleen Little Leaf
The Indigenous phrase “Walking the Red Road” is described in different ways. One description or meaning is that to walk the red road is the journey one takes of self-discovery. Walking the Red Road is the path to understanding self, aligning with a higher power, being respectful, forgiving, and practicing humility. This training provides a review of what addiction is from a medical model perspective, the impact of addiction on mental health, addiction as a family disease, the impacts on community, harm reduction and substances today, addiction trauma and suicide, and recovery treatment models that include holistic health and wellness for healing.
The impact chemical dependency issues have, on an individual, family, and community, is incredibly significant within Indigenous communities where the collectivist culture of our communities experiences the effects in all areas and tribal nations. This dependency, substance addiction, contributes to issues of low self-worth, identity issues, breakdown of family, cycles of substance abuse, mental health, and high-risk behaviors that have many negative impacts on health and wellness, as well as the probability of illness or disease, accidental death, and suicide. The lack of resources locally and beyond for rural communities exacerbates these issues.
The medical model briefly describes addiction as a disease but only when medical interventions are implemented to address the physical damage that harmful substances create. The disease model (medical model) of addiction describes addiction with biological, neurological, genetic, and environmental sources of origin. This workshop includes a brief examination of the medical model, then demonstrates how to incorporate that knowledge into a holistic model that addresses the entire person, not just the addiction.
Utilizing therapeutic, evidenced-based interventions are helpful for recovery; however, to be able to embrace the oral traditions, language, and tribal practices produces an even more beneficial approach to substance use and recovery. This approach is inclusive of the healing attributes and inherent values found within each unique tribe.
This important workshop offers the Native American perspectives with a brief history of substances within Indigenous communities, as well as contemporary views. A holistic perspective gives voice to the individual and family impacts and the trauma’s associated such as with Native American Historical trauma. This further assists in determining what necessary healing must take place to address the individual, family, community, and tribal nations.
Workshop designed and developed by Kathleen Little Leaf, Little Leaf Cultural Consulting, LLC
Kathleen’s trainings are very holistic and geared towards assisting professionals in understanding there are differences in working with Native people by providing examples of what that means.
In addition, SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES provided after the workshop, include a recording of this workshop, along with an additional video by Kathleen, explaining step-by-step what to do in a crisis situation.