Recovery is a process, not an event. This is one of the key ideas that guides the White Bison Wellbriety movement. According to one of the key White Bison books, “The Red Road to Wellbriety,” the process “is a journey of hope and healing for Native Americans seeking recovery from addictions.”
It is a journey in a spiritual, emotional, mental and physical way.
The Medicine Wheel and 12 steps
The movement “draws on the philosophies and practices of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous – especially the 12-step process. Native elders say that the Twelve Steps originally compiled by Alcoholics Anonymous have much in common with traditional Native ways – especially if they are viewed in a circle.”
For example, the Medicine Wheel structures the entire process. Steps one through three located in the East of the Medicine Wheel involve finding the Creator; steps four through six in the South require finding yourself; steps seven through nine in the West guide finding your relationship with others; and steps ten through twelve in the North support you in finding the wisdom of the elders. All the steps are connected and support the other steps. They are organized in a way to build a foundation of trust and hope through the wisdom of the elders.
Each step on the Medicine Wheel takes two weeks with the complete program lasting 26 weeks. However, the group meetings are continuous so anyone can join at any point – you don’t have to wait until it starts over again.
Wellbriety and the Four Laws of Change
In addition, Wellbriety is based on Four Laws of Change. The first law states that all permanent and lasting change comes from within. One of the deeper explanations of this transformation is that every creature has innate knowledge of its wellbeing and is born with a blueprint to thrive and flourish. As Kateri Cohyis, the Executive Director of White Bison explains, the salmon knows how to swim upstream and lay its eggs. Humans also know how to flourish and thrive; we just have to make that choice.
Law Two states that no development happens without a Vision. That’s because we move towards and become like that which we think about.
The third law is “A great learning must occur” which means everyone in the community must come together and grow as a whole.
Finally, the Fourth Law says, “you must create a healing forest.” Again, Kateri explains that if you remove and heal a sick tree from a sick forest but replant it there, it will become sick again. Therefore, healing the individual is not enough. The healing forest means that we are all in this together, all responsible for each other, and all accountable to rise and reclaim whole health as a community. This means healing the youth, elders, and family structures too. In other words, if you’re a person in recovery or thinking about taking that journey, please remember that you don’t have to do it alone. We can do it together as a community, as peers who have gone through it and still work on it.
The Wellbriety movement was originally brough to Ignacio by Robert Buckskin “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs”. Robert had formerly worked at Peaceful Spirit as a counselor and ran all of the White Bison groups. His work was well known for supporting fathers and the annual family New Year’s Day Sobriety Walk.
As the new year approaches, consider recommending any family or friends in need of recovery support to join us at Southern Ute Behavioral Health.
Marvina Olguin and Preston Barry run regular groups for the community and also offer one-to-one support. Each step requires two weeks although the groups are revolving so anyone can join at any point. Monday afternoons from noon-1p.m., you can join a virtual Warrior Down Talking Circle, a component of peer recovery support. Thursday evenings, you can join the in-person Medicine Wheel 12 STEP from 5:30-7p.m. at the Southern Ute Cultural Center (Large Classroom). Please contact Marvina Olguin at marolguin@southernute-nsn.gov or Preston Barry at pbarry@southernute-nsn.gov for information. If you plan on attending, please call SU Behavioral Health at 970-563-5700 to RSVP.
Starting in the new year, we will also be offering Mending Broken Hearts groups for grief and loss.
Here’s to your good health!
It’s okay not to feel okay
If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division at 970-563-5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist.
Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out. And for those interested in opioid use education, harm reduction, and support, please contact us for quick Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips. We can schedule individual, family, or friends training times at our Southern Ute Behavioral Health Building, or we can come to you, and the training is around 30 minutes. Please call us at 970-563-5700 to set up a training appointment