Generated with AI and edited by Lea Wetzel, Family Peer Supporter

February 13, 2024

In the rich tapestry of Native American traditions, storytelling stands as a sacred gift, a conduit for the transfer of wisdom, healing, and positive energies. Our Blackfoot people have a deep-rooted connection to tradition. 

I share my life experiences and provide a compelling narrative as a Blackfoot woman in recovery. My story is not just a personal account; it's a gift from Creator. There is a transformative power of sharing experiences, bridging the metaphysical and physical worlds by preserving true history for future generations. In the intricate dance between the past and the present, my journey unfolds, offering insights into the resilience that storytelling can foster.

Through living out my passions, being open to my Elders's teachings, and reconnecting to my Blackfoot ways, I am on a journey of learning the true empowerment of being a Blackfoot woman. I am on a lifelong journey of reconnecting to who I was meant to be and remembering through these same traditional teachings that true freedom is staying in humility and being someone who wants to be a humble human being. 

In our culture teachings and lessons are shared through storytelling. This is how we get our names as well as the root and meaning of our ceremonial ways. We are not only storytellers but a living example of the resilience that can emerge from the depths of adversity. 

In my traditions, the act of sharing stories is not merely a recounting of events but a sacred exchange that carries the collective wisdom of a community and nation. 

Having spent over two decades entangled in the criminal justice system and battling addiction, my journey is a journey of challenges and triumphs. My narrative serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, we can stand in our power, be with Creator, hold ourselves with integrity, and that there is a path to recovery and healing. My commitment to sharing my story is a living testament that our culture is prevention and there is healing through recovery and a life of wellness for my people and all Relatives. 

My favorite moments are when I actively participate in ceremony, visit with family, learn, and always pass this on to the next generation, with my two beautiful children. During this, we can have a profound connection between the metaphysical and physical worlds by Elders sharing knowledge through storytelling. Ceremony serves as a bridge, allowing us to take in wisdom imparted by Elders, and in return do our best to live out the wisdom through our actions and sharing what we can to help others. Ceremony provides a unique space where tangible aspects of existence converge, fostering a deep understanding of cultural heritage and personal identity.

Within storytelling, Elders and wisdom holders play a pivotal role. 

My family and I’s engagement in ceremony ensures the preservation of true history, not as a mere chronicle of events but as a living, breathing narrative that holds the essence of our people. The stories shared in these ceremonies are vessels of positive energy, capable of transforming lives.

When we live out and up to who Creator intended us to be, we actively contribute to a legacy of healing, empowerment, and cultural continuity.

Having been in the criminal justice system and addiction for over 20 years, I realize the absence of culture, self-care, and actionable goals in my life caused me and my loved ones lots of heartache. Having this identity and the gift to share not only about my culture but the power of it through my actions, and own storytelling. My challenges of turning dreams into aspirations speak to the importance of taking deliberate action in the recovery journey. That makes my narrative a powerful call to action, urging others to learn from my experiences and embrace the transformative potential of incorporating culture, self-care, and actionable goals in our lives.

In the symphony of our peoples' storytelling, my narrative emerges as a poignant melody, resonating with the themes of healing, hope, and resilience. Through anyone’s journey from adversity to recovery, which embodies the transformative power of sharing hardships and the profound impact of engaging others.

 As a storyteller, we become a keeper of true history, actively participating in the transfer of positive energies that ripple through the spaces we empower. 

I hope that my reflection on my past serves as a compelling invitation for others to embark on their journey of recovery, armed with the knowledge of self-care and actionable goals that can transform dreams into lived aspirations.

 In the end, the art of my people's storytelling is not just a tradition; it's a living, breathing testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

May 2, 2023

The arrival of Native American Heritage Month heralds a deeply personal journey for me, a Blackfoot woman steadfastly navigating the intricate path of recovery. Within the expansive tapestry of indigenous cultures, I discover not only solace and strength but a profound connection to my roots that serves as the cornerstone of my journey of self-discovery. Engaged in tribal liaison work with Montana tribes, this month transcends mere celebration; it stands as a testament to the transformative power of cultural heritage, weaving through my role as a mother and illuminating the unique lens of recovery from an American Indian woman's perspective.

For me, Native American Heritage Month becomes an annual reflection, a sacred space to contemplate the indelible impact of ceremonial beliefs on shaping my identity. As a Blackfoot woman, the ceremonies and traditions handed down through generations are more than just practices; they are profound sources of guidance and healing, a way of life. Embracing my heritage becomes a key that unlocks self-discovery amid the tumultuous terrain of recovery, providing a spiritual anchor that transcends immediate struggles, connecting me to a legacy that predates and outlasts adversity. I pass these ways down to my children, which impacts them to be proud, stagnant, and have purpose through their own journeys.

Implementing these beliefs and ways throughout the work I do with tribal drop-in centers, peer support, past pilot projects, and state-wide initiatives within human trafficking and missing and murdered Indigenous People campaigns. By me working on tribal engagement liaison work in Montana, amplifies the significance of Native American Heritage Month to me. This endeavor becomes more than a professional commitment; it's an opportunity to bridge communities, fostering understanding and collaboration.

As a Blackfoot woman in recovery, the liaison work becomes a conduit for contributing to the preservation and appreciation of diverse tribal cultures, creating connections that transcend geographical borders, uniting us in a shared heritage that goes beyond words.

In the vast expanse of history, the First Nations peoples, originating from Turtle Island, encompassing North America, Canada, South America, and parts of Central America, have weathered countless storms, and emerged as resilient keepers of an intricate cultural tapestry. Today, there are 574 recognized tribes, with even more existing without federal recognition. Within my state, 12 tribes and 7 territories stand as sovereign entities, each weaving their unique form of government into the rich fabric of the land. Through the lens of this diverse heritage, I explore the profound interconnectedness and beliefs that have shaped the identity of Indigenous peoples for generations.

Within the realm of First Nations, diversity is not a divergence but a celebration. There exists a profound understanding that no two tribes, bands, clans, or societies share identical traditions. The beauty lies in the multi-dimensional nature of our culture, where there is no room for shame, guilt, or pride—only true humility. The cultural richness is exemplified by all tribes, each with its distinct government and symbolic flag representing unique cultures and histories.

Embedded within this cultural lineage is a universal belief that transcends tribal boundaries—the belief that everything and everyone is interconnected. This profound connection extends beyond the visible world, encompassing animals, earth, stars, air, water, and the realms seen and unseen. The Medicine Wheel teachings, a shared cultural resource, illustrate the interconnectedness and serve as a beacon for recovery, emphasizing balance and harmony within the self and the universe.

Reflecting on the Dog Days, a time preceding the era of horse-aided migration, reveals a harmonious existence where humans, nature, and animals coexisted in balance. In this era, women held a unique and powerful role as life-givers and leaders. The Amskapii Piikani women, exemplifying strength, and resilience, engaged in hunting, cooking, and even battled alongside their male counterparts. The legacy of empowered women endures through societies dedicated to women's headdresses, pipes, and bundles.

As Indigenous people, our identity is deeply rooted in our connection to the Earth, Sky, Stars, and Water. Creation stories describe us as "fire people," embodying the Red Spectrum of the Medicine Wheel. Many Indigenous individuals are reconnecting with these ancient ways, drawing from the wellspring of knowledge passed down through generations. The healing process is not merely individual but spans seven generations, acknowledging the impact of our actions on three generations before us, three generations after us, and the crucial seventh generation—ourselves. This concept is originated from and for Native American beliefs, now utilized cross culturally through other heritages voices.

Beginning in 1887, the federal government initiated a campaign to "Americanize" Native Americans, focusing on westernized education that aimed to erase tribal cultures. Boarding schools like the U.S. Training and Industrial School at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, implemented harsh methods to strip away tribal identity. Students were forced to abandon Indian names, forbidden from speaking native languages, and had their hair cut, as it was believed to hold significant power. Captain Richard H. Pratt, founder of Carlisle, employed brutal methods, famously advocating to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man." This campaign reflected not only the erasure of culture but also an underlying sentiment that fueled Indian massacres.

The brutal history continued as Indigenous people endured beatings, rape, and murder for practicing their native ways. Genocide claimed nearly 98% of the population, with settlers studying their customs. Into the 1970s, Indigenous women faced forced sterilizations without consent. Cumulative trauma and fear drove many cultural practices underground.

There have been over 10,000 bodies found as of now and there are many more to be found, within the movement of healing the residential and boarding school era. Around 160 residential schools have been searched, and there are over 550 residential schools in North America, in 2022, and I am sure this number has changed to date. Intergenerational Trauma affects the descendants of a person who has experienced a terrifying event and it’s passed down from generation to generation, through our DNA.

Historical trauma is the cumulative, multigenerational, collective experience of emotional and psychological injury in Indigenous communities and in descendants.

There are reasons behind actions, reactions, and the need to preserve or keep our identity. Cultural awareness of our past has a huge impact in how we attempt to support our Indigenous Relatives. How we overcome is through information like this. Bringing awareness and learning about what really happened, can allow healing to start to take place. When something is justified and validated in anyone’s life, then healing may start to take place, within a trauma-informed safe space. Always including a cultural sensitized perspective. Just like with anyone’s healing journey, we had to face a lot, before we could accept and do what’s needed to continue to heal and grow.

In 1978, a pivotal moment occurred with the legalization of Native Americans' right to speak their native tongue, practice ceremonies, and express their cultural identity freely. This marked a turning point, allowing Indigenous communities to emerge from the shadows of fear and reclaim their heritage. History and facts show forth that we are still working to lessen stigma and offer a more culturally diverse atmosphere. There is power in knowledge of who one is, and where we come from.

There are sacred principles within Cultural Continuity: Believing, Relating. Cultural continuity is the ability to preserve the historical traditions of a culture and carry them forward with that culture into the future, closely linked to the concept of cultural identity. Cultivation, defined as raising, growing, and preparing the use of soil, is mirrored in the endeavor to cultivate culture through the reconnection and sharing of cultural knowledge.

Cultural Synergy is an attempt to bring two or more cultures together to form an organization or environment based on combined strengths, concepts, and skills. Culture serves as prevention, a bridge of connection for others, and a powerful tool in supporting others. Culture is collective, and principles like Cultural Continuity and Cultural Synergy can build a cross-cultural paradigm shared among Indigenous communities. Both Westernized Evidence-Based Principles and Traditional Principles prove helpful. Through Cultural Synergy, multiple pathways can be developed to support and heal us and others—a powerful permission to seek out and be open to various ways of healing and supporting others.

Integrating sacred principles such as Cultural Continuity: Believing, Relating and Cultural Synergy, can be essential.  Cultural Humility concepts were originally developed by Dr. Jan Murray & Melanie Turvalon. In this framework it emphasizes the importance of critical self-reflection, redressing power imbalances, developing mutually beneficial partnerships, and advocating for institutional accountability. This framework serves as a guide to connect and be mindful to all walks of life and individuals supported within the community.

This perception challenges the concept of Cultural Competency, asserting that even as an Amskapii Piikani band member of the Blackfoot confederated nation, achieving complete competency in Native American ways is an ongoing process. Being in a lifelong journey of learning, growing, healing, and reconnecting to traditional ways, I am far from being competent in my own culture, but I can have cultural humility. That means, that cultural competency is perspective of someone that sees themselves as being a “Master” of one’s culture. If I am not competent in my own culture, then how can an outsider of my culture be competent in another’s culture? Humility is the answer to many issues in the world, including that humility is a vital principle in a healing and recovery journey. What one may perceive a word to mean can be completely different from what another culture believes a word or phrase means. Speaking of something, in the Native American culture, means you are speaking it out into existence. I am taught by my Elders, that our words are “Sharp,” and they are also very “Powerful.” Being mindful and having humility can allow you to integrate this Native American belief and hold a more sacred and safe space for those you encounter.

The framework of critical self-reflection, redressing power imbalances, and developing mutually beneficial partnerships is essential to this continuous learning process, and for others to inherit and implement into their own lives. This is what our heritage thrives on, continuing to break barriers, stigma, and decolonize the world we live in, through educating and believing in principles like these. This is the month that signifies decolonization of Turtle Island.

Being in a movement of “Intergenerational Healing” first highlighted by Ms. Theda NewBreast of Native Wellness Institute, is not only internal, but it also is utilized externally within my work, and life. Organizations like Native Fatherhood and Families Association, White Bison Inc., Native Wellness Institute, Return to the Heart Foundation, Indigenous Vision, Native Wellness Magazine, are a few examples of places to gain more knowledge for those who may be interested in learning and growing through intertribal and Universal American Indian traditions. 

The personal resonance of Native American Heritage Month deepens when viewed through the lens of resilience in the face of trauma. My journey through recovery bears the weight of profound losses, marked by the absence of my father and brother. In these moments of darkness, the cultural teachings inherited from my Blackfoot heritage prove instrumental. The ceremonies and stories passed down through generations become a powerful framework for healing, enabling me to confront and work through past pains with a strength grounded in cultural understanding.

As a mother, Native American Heritage Month assumes an added layer of significance, evolving into an opportunity to instill pride and reverence for Blackfoot heritage in my children. Through the art of storytelling, participation in ceremonies, and engagement with tribal communities, I strive to pass on the rich cultural legacy that has been a guiding force in my own life. In celebrating our shared heritage, I aim to equip my children with the resilience and wisdom embedded in our traditions, forging a bridge to their own identities.

I felt an internal connection and “Transfer” of knowledge of my Amskapii Pikkani ways when I received my second Blackfoot name. I was 19 when I was transferred my name,” Poonoakii,” Elk Woman. We are given up to four stories when we are given our name, in our tribal ways. The story behind your name amplifies the power within who you are, where you have been, and where and what you are becoming and going in your journey.  There is so much for me to learn in my culture, and we as Native American get to celebrate our cultural heritage everyday of our lives. This month is significant within the journey of all American Indian people, but it doesn’t stop here, it continues through our journey of everyday living and everyday meaning.

Recovery, as witnessed through the eyes of an American Indian woman, is a multifaceted journey intricately interwoven with cultural identity. Native American Heritage Month serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between the two, highlighting the holistic approach to recovery found in the ceremonies and beliefs rooted in my Blackfoot heritage. It is a reminder that recovery transcends the mere overcoming of challenges; it is a transformative process of reclaiming and embracing one's true self, a process illuminated by the cultural lens through which I navigate it.

Native American Heritage Month unfolds as a celebration, a remembrance, and a deeply personal journey of discovery. As a Blackfoot woman in recovery, this month offers a unique opportunity to intertwine my personal narrative with the broader story of indigenous cultures. It is a time to honor the past, engage with the present, and contribute to the preservation of a cultural legacy that sustains and uplifts. In embracing my Blackfoot heritage, I discover not only a source of strength but a roadmap for navigating the complexities of life, recovery, and the intergenerational transmission of cultural resilience—an ongoing odyssey of discovery and achievement through the eyes of an American Indian woman.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

May 9, 2023

When I started getting diagnosed with mental health conditions, I was still a teenager. I was ashamed, scared, and felt like I was doomed. I come from a family that has both mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders, so I was aware of what they both can look like. It hit me hard, and even though I had seen struggles within my family’s dynamics, I still held shame and guilt from my situation. I later learned that the shame and guilt was not mine to carry, but before that, I carried it like I was packing luggage around, everywhere I went.

I learned to “mask” so much of my realities, that it became second nature to act as if, all was well.  I didn’t fully grasp the effects that what I had going on, had on me, and those around me. I know that I would feel so secluded, even if I was in a room full of people. I lived with anxiety and depression most of my life. I later ended up with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and within the past seven years, I was diagnosed with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).

I struggled for a long time, and felt the need to hide my problems, until I couldn’t anymore, and I ended up in and out of being hospitalized, tried on multiple medications, and in and out of treatment centers and the justice system.

I self-medicated for decades, in active addiction, and my mental health was on large amounts of highs and lows. I thought I had it figured out but found myself in a place where I pushed almost everyone that was important to me away, and was surrounded by hurt, pain, loss, and loneliness. After lots of this ongoing cycle, I finally figured out that I had to hit a place of understanding in my life, and later I found something called acceptance. I learned to forgive those who had hurt me, situations that went on, and most importantly I needed to learn to forgive myself.

All of what started my healing evolved from awareness and education on the why, what, where, when, and who, within my life and my mental health. I found solutions and answers to my life, and a better understanding of myself.  Through learning about how the brain works, practices and principles that worked for me, I started to find solutions. What was the most helpful was being able to share and hold healing space with others that were on a similar journey. Reconnecting to my ancestorial background was the beginning of a bigger source that unfolded so much positivity and enlightenment.

Knowing that I come from a heritage that has also been affected by historical and intergenerational traumas, and learning the truth behind my history, also gave me more knowledge and awareness that allowed my growth and healing to continue. Learning that that growth and healing never ends, that the more I learn, I need to have humility and humbleness. I embrace all the support and knowledge that others grace me with, and I feel so blessed.

I started out feeling like I had a curse, and now I see it all as a blessing. Learning about the key pieces to my mental health and implementing principles and practices into my life, has allowed my life to be full of blessings. I have an understanding that I now can use my voice to share my journey, and it can positively affect others, and hopefully allow them to realize they are not alone, and there is no need for stigma. We don’t and shouldn’t ever accept another’s stigma on our mental health, or anyone else’s, and we can be examples for others, and advocate together.

My grandfather, Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, told us kids when we were little, that society will attempt to make us feel different or try to say something is wrong with us, but that is not true, and don’t listen to them. We are gifted, and we can see, and feel things that not the everyday average “normy” understands. We may take a little longer to figure things out, but never give up. Knowledge is power, and always know, that you have a bigger purpose and no matter what the obstacle, Creator has a plan, so keep going, and get past those barriers, and be a voice of overcoming.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

April 18, 2023

Forgiveness is a big part of a healing journey. It takes a lot of acceptance to be able to forgive and to acknowledge there is a need to understand that whatever it is that is holding one back, or is causing inner conflicts, is not always ours to own. We do not have to completely understand the reasoning behind one’s negative doing to us, we don’t ever have to forget, but being able to forgive, can allow healing and growth to continue.  

Without forgiveness, whatever it is that is bothering us, can become very toxic to one’s wellbeing. Practicing forgiveness helps if you have worked on positive change within your inner self. Just as you would start slowly with a new physical exercise routine, it helps if you build up your forgiving heart muscles slowly, incorporating regular “exercises”, or practices.

You can start this process by making a commitment to do no harm to ourselves or others. In other words, making a conscious effort not to talk negatively about those who’ve hurt you. If you keep from talking negatively, it will start to open the forgiving side of your mind and heart.

You can also make a practice of recognizing that every person is unique, special, and irreplaceable. Everyone has their own story and journey that they are on, and things that they have gone through. This doesn’t mean what harm they have done to you, is okay. It only means that you are your own unique and special self, and there is no need to act on, react to another’s ignorance, or their lack of ability to be kind and respectful to others. You may come to this through your beliefs, spirituality, or religion. It’s important to cultivate a mindset of valuing all of humanity, so that it becomes harder to discount someone who has harmed you.

You can show love in small ways in everyday encounters. Like smiling at others, holding the door, taking time to listen to a child. Giving love when it’s unnecessary helps to build the love muscle, making it easier to show compassion toward everyone. If you practice small acts of forgiveness, it starts extending care when someone harms you. This can help in everyday life.

Sometimes pride and power can weaken your efforts to forgive by making you feel entitled, so that you hang onto your resentment as a with cause. Try to catch yourself when you are acting from that place, and choose forgiveness, instead. If you need inspiration, it can help to seek out stories of others, to get out of self, and have your own understanding, and acceptance that what other’s do, maybe terribly wrong, but it doesn’t have to stunt the growth and forgiveness of yourself and can be a practice that you do at your own pace.

There is no right or wrong way to “practice” or implement this into your own life. I am not saying these are the answers, they are simply suggestions and ways that have helped support the forgiveness process in my own life. In some of these suggestions and practices are things I researched along the way and have supported the pathway of my own healing and growing journey.

By Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

March 21, 2023

Living a life to develop the best results in growth and healing, I have learned to be open and mindful of multiple pathways recovery entails. Beyond the inpatient, outpatient, justice programming, and whatever else was “expected” of me, I have dipped into reconnecting to my traditional, American Indian ways.

I have learned it is not just a belief, storytelling, or even history, its all of that, it’s a way of life. Belonging to one of the most unique and oldest ethnic background that came from this area, I take great pride in being a First Nations, Amskapii Piikani, Aki (woman).

I’ll start with my name. Getting a name in my tribe’s clan, there’s a transfer that happens. Transfer of energy, transfer of knowledge, and taking responsibility of holding and preserving the meaning of your name. It’s a great honor to be given a name, especially for women in this way, to get a second name. That was me, I was given a second name, because I had grown out of the first.

From that day forward of the naming ceremony, my journey would connect and withhold the purpose and meaning of my name. In our way, you receive four stories that give you luck, protection, humility, and ground you, to remind you of where you come from, and where you are going.

This is my passion and way of life, beyond those first stages of recovery. I went through and felt every bit of those stories the Elder told when transferring me my name. I went through hard times, I went away from my beliefs, and in the end and beginning, I overcame and continue to grow. I work a recovery that’s rooted in my way of life, of my people. I refer to the Medicine Wheel for self-care, and to remind me of the stages and patterns the human being goes through, every season.

Beyond those first stages of my recovery, I have found myself. I have developed a way that allows me to be open and have humility and kindness in my everyday interactions. Don’t get me wrong, I make mistakes daily, but I look at them as learning experiences, and opportunities for growth.

I will never know everything or have everything figured out, but on this Red Road journey, I have my Creator, and I have the spirit of myself, and the interconnectedness of All My Relations.

Beyond Recovery, gives me peace, when times are tough. Because I know, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I have a name to continue to honor, ways to continue to connect and learn about, and a way of life, that allows me to be me. Exactly how and what Creator, Mother Earth, and the Universe foreseen, before, during, and beyond recovery.  

by Nikki Russel, Recovery Coach

November 22, 2022

Culture develops my belief system, that develops my traditions, that gives me a sense of self within a community. Culture gives me my values; it tells me how to live my life.

The culture of “letting go” versus holding onto to a belief system that was given to me. The culture I had before recovery was about thinking I was not enough and spending every waking hour trying to prove to the world I was worthy of their love and attention. I changed everything that was authentic about me to what the world expected from me.

My colors were too bright, I needed to dim my shine to make people feel comfortable. This grey life that I existed in was protection and I lived inside this wound that became my culture. Surviving the daily trauma became my God. I learned a skillset that protected from love, trauma told me to push people away because they would hurt me.

When I entered recovery, a new culture began emerging, learning that I could create the life that I was worthy of, I needed to learn that the colors of me are beautiful even if the world does not approve. I am learning that when trauma knocks on the door, that tension in my heart, it is God reminding me to live life in color, not in the grayness of my wounding. Letting go of the need to be in control, to be effective, and the need to be right is affording me the freedom to live outside my trauma.

I have developed a culture of recovery that offers a new belief system, a set of values that requires me to be vulnerable. Today my culture exists in the very thing that I was so afraid of in my addiction - …LOVE.

by  Beth Ayers, Family Peer Support Lead

November 15, 2022

Over the years I have thought a lot about the culture of my family and what I want it to be. Particularly, how I want it to be different from my parents’ culture that I was raised in. And the ways I would like it to be the same. One thing in my life that I have a lot of control over is the culture in my family and our home.

Growing up, I lived in a home with a culture of silence. We didn’t talk about problems because problems didn’t exist if we didn’t talk about them. They also couldn’t affect us if we stayed silent about them. The effects of problems were minimized and ignored through control, alcohol, drugs, blame, guilt, perfectionism, extreme thinking, denial, and enabling. The culture also included a shared responsibility for feelings and choices. I was responsible for making my mom feel sad or angry. My mom was responsible for my choices and consequences that came from them. It was our responsibility to fix each other. One person’s mood affected everyone else’s.

I was determined not to bring this culture into my home and family as an adult. It is important to me to create a culture of truth and accountability. To own and share my feeling and to take responsibility for getting my needs met. Some tools I have used to build this culture in my family are therapy (individual, family, and marriage), my faith, journaling, Al-Anon, self-care, medication, expressing my feelings without blaming them on anyone, admitting when I am wrong and apologizing, and continuing to learn and grow in my recovery. I want my kids to know that feelings are okay, hard conversations need to happen and we will survive them, perfection is impossible, life is messy, we can only control ourselves, and recovery is possible. This is the culture I hope I created, or at least continue to work towards creating in my family and home.

There were also behaviors and beliefs that I wanted to continue, that I valued about the family culture I grew up in. Some are eating dinner together, doing special and thoughtful things for others, taking family trips, celebrating the holidays with family, and financial responsibility, among others. These were important to me and as an adult I made sure they were included in creating my family’s culture.

Every family has their own culture. They have behaviors, beliefs, and values that influence the home and shape the family’s culture. As children, there are parts of our family’s culture that we appreciate and want to continue. And there are parts that don’t work for us. We have the ability, as adults, to change these parts and create a different culture for our home. Through intentional evaluation and work, we can create a culture in our home that support us and our recovery and those in our family.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

November 8, 2022

This month is National Native American Heritage Month, acknowledging Indigenous First Nations. I am a member of the Blackfoot Confederated Nation, the Amskapii Piikani Band. We are one band of a six-clan band, and the only band of our nation in the United States. Our culture is prevention on so many levels. Having a connection to both Indigenous First Nations knowledge and the Westernized knowledge can be very helpful in recovery. The definition of Cultural Synergy is, to bring two or more cultures together to form an organization or environment that is based on combined strengths, concepts, and skills. The differences in the world's people are used in such a way that encourages mutual growth by cooperation. Coming from my lineage of tribes, clans, bands, and societies, we have leadership societies, that teach us our old ways of living in harmony and our original belief system. Through the heartbeat of the sacredness of life and our sacred journey, together we grow by learning from one another, culture to culture, to be of support to one another. We believe we are all interconnected here in this Universe. First Nations are the original people who derive from Turtle Island. Montana is one area of multiple tribal territories on this continent, that is part of Turtle Island.

There's a great amount of knowledge centered within this ethnicity. Through mindfulness, acceptance, humility, and patience we can learn a lot from the history right here where we live. Beliefs through the lineage of our culture explains creation, who we are and how we came to be Simple principles of living in harmony, and interconnectedness of ourselves, each other, our surroundings, the animals, and the Universe, is a part of our way of life. We do not claim any land as something we own. We are only borrowing and protecting the land, for the generations to come. We migrated with the seasons and the buffalo here in the plains, the Northern territory. We acknowledge the land as Mother Earth, a gift from Creator. In acknowledging who we are, we are acknowledging where we come from. We are taught to respect the land we are on, and that is surrounding us. We are taught from our Ancestors, and Mother Earth’s memories. The teachings that come from this area are transferred to us from our lineage, and with this knowledge comes responsibility. Our responsibility is to our ways and preserving it in a sacred manner. First Nations lineage comes from a long blood line of teachings and ways that are highly respected and kept sacred. These teachings come from Elders, the true knowledge keepers, of our First Nations beliefs. Elders are those who have been transferred knowledge and are chosen to have sacred responsibilities.

by Bill Deavel, Peer Support Coordinator

November 1, 2022

There are many forms of culture that we can address when it comes to recovery. Over the years it has been a piece of my professional development that I have had to work on. I think for me I needed to understand my own culture to be able to recognize and appreciate other forms of culture. I think for me it was comfortable to stay in my own little box where I felt safe. As I grew in my recovery - starting in Seattle - I was able to experience the culture of others. I remember when I was going through my internship, I participated in a cultural awareness training where I was introduced to a variety of different cultures just based on all the nationalities that where present in our area.

And remember, national identity is just one form of culture. There are many cultural considerations that I was made aware of. As I have grown - both in my recovery and professionally - I have developed my own culture based on my beliefs and values. I also have become more willing to be curious about the cultures of others and appreciate them. I have even been able to take pieces of other cultures and utilize them and incorporate them into my own. Overall, I have a lot more to learn when it comes to culture. I am dedicated to being open minded about culture and all that this has to offer me in my recovery and my professional development. I think the one thing that I have adopted is to be authentically curious of others culture. In closing, I would like to say that for me, it is rewarding to be open to other cultures, without having to compromising my own.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

October 18, 2022

It’s the season of changes. During this time of the year, we can have a mixture of emotions that we are feeling, dealing, and coping with. Everyone in recovery has their own story and I know for me, mine involves a lot of good times, amazing times, and a lot of traumatic times too. So, being able to be transparent within all this can be very helpful and allows us to verbalize what it is in fact we are going through and finding what it is we need during this time. Also, to be able to share with each other and our peers how we decide this looks and what helps can set the tone for this holiday season and more to come.

Allowing self-care, support groups, one on ones, planning family time, and letting others know our boundaries up front, can keep us feeling safe during this time. During the time away from our normal routines and lives, we can develop plans and back-up plans before the break we take during the holidays, which can give us the necessary resources and support we need. Taking the time to be in the moment with our loved ones, children, and within all our relationships is key for good holiday memories.

We as a Nation are coming into a time of movement of all types, and I truly believe we here within recovery are ones that can be the change, hope, difference, and be the light for others around us. While we heal, we are healing generations before and to come, so be the reason someone’s season is a memorable one and be that example of transparency no matter what part of the year, season, or age we are in.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

Septemeber 13, 2022

Recovery is the beginning of positive change and evolving into the spirit and human being an individual was meant to be. It’s the bond and balance of body, mind, and soul. It is the discovery of who Creator really made an individual to be.

Recovery has been the lifestyle, workforce, and individual I represent. It is acceptance of who I am as a woman in recovery. It has shown me what I am to be, and how I am supposed show up in spaces of all areas I am in. Recovery is why I can be who I am as a woman, a mom, a leader, a voice, and an individual who is okay with making mistakes. It has taught me how to navigate through mistakes and where and why I need to be who Creator made me to be, flaws and all.

Recovery is the love for myself, my family, my community, and all cross-cultural nationalities. It is humanizing my interactions and being able to use the gifts I was given from Creator and showing my love for Creator thorough the actions of cultural humility.
Recovery is the life I chose and continue to choose today, no matter the storm, the rainbow after the storm, and it is being able to dance in the storm and embracing the need for voice and positive change. It is being able to show humility when times are tough and setting an example for others to come to be the next generations of leaders to come.

Recovery is not always the easiest life to live. We still feel all the hurt, pain, and prosperity that life gives, here on Earth; but it’s all about how we continue on the path of this Red Road, called recovery. It’s being teachable, respectable, and it’s honoring another’s journey by equal balance and humanness we can offer one another. It’s bringing another up and not down, and it can be our gift back to Creator.

Our gift is life and choosing to live in recovery and being an individual that stands for hope, mindfulness, compassion, and respect to make the best out of our life, and our gift back to Creator. Recovery is the life that gifts us the knowledge we need to endure the ups and downs of life. Recovery is possible and EVERYONE can succeed. If you can dream a dream in recovery, it can be the life Creator meant for you to have in recovery.