Marvina Olguin 

My name is Marvina, and I am Ute Mountain Ute.  

I am the peer recovery coach for Southern Ute Health Center’s Behavioral Health Division. I work in the community with people struggling with addiction and alcoholism. I also participate in the Wellness Court Team and the Family Treatment Court Team at the Southern Ute Justice Center. 

One of the important things I do is to change perceptions about addiction and help people see the benefits of things like naloxone and fentanyl test strips. At first, some people aren’t ready to see the benefit, but explaining how it can save a life helps to change their perception.  

For some, addiction still isn’t talked about. It’s swept under the rug. But addiction is here. We’ve lost a lot of community members to it. In fact, death and substance use disorder have become common enough that there’s starting to be a sense of normalcy around it. And we can’t change that until we start having conversations about addiction and stigma. So, we’re trying to change the perception of people who don’t use substances while also informing those who do know about resources that are available to them.  

We need to make resources even more accessible. Some Native American communities face additional challenges to get to those resources. Even Behavioral Health is located 11 miles away in Durango, Colo. That’s why I’m willing to meet people anywhere as a peer recovery coach. 

There are ways in which the Southern Ute Tribe has come together to fight addiction. We’ve collaborated with different departments of the Tribe, the division of social services, family court support, the police department, and the Tribal courts. We’re pushing people to work together and overcome addiction, primarily through the events we put on. We’re focusing on the youth and showing them how to have fun without using drugs and alcohol through their own culture.  

Our culture can be a tool in fighting addiction. Returning to my roots and using ceremonies like the Bear Dances, the Sundance, making connections at the powwow, and being at the cultural events, create a bridge to other generations, teach us about our culture, and create the connection we need to overcome addiction.