Sharing the Role of Aboriginal Traditional Culture in Healing from Addictions


The information on this website is the outcome of a conversation taking place across Saskatchewan
about the role of Aboriginal culture in healing from addictions.
Hundreds of people have joined in and many want to share their story with you.

You can order the DVD, Journey Magnet & Exercise Suggestions at no cost by either:
1. providing us with your mailing information here,
2. contacting our team at Colleen.Dell@usask.ca, or
3. calling (306) 966-5912
The following Knowledge Brokers and Ambassadors will be sharing the DVDs, Journey Magnets, and Exercise Suggestions with communities, organizations, and individuals across the province!

 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE HEALING JOURNEY

The collection of stories on this website is an offering to you. On it you will find videos, songs, poetry, written narratives, drawings and music. It is hoped that the stories will inspire you to join in the provincial discussion. People’s stories are their identity – you will hear about how choosing a healthy sense of self as an Aboriginal person is fundamental to the continued journey of wellbeing.

You will find peoples’ answers to such questions as

  • Why is culture important to healing from addictions?
  • What cultural experiences help people heal from addictions?
  • How do these cultural experiences make a difference for individuals on their healing journeys?
  • Are there any concerns with identifying the benefits of cultural interventions for healing from addictions?


ACCESSING THE STORIES

You can both VIEW peoples’ stories (for example, art work) & READ  peoples’ stories (for example, poetry).

 

HOW TO USE THE STORIES

There are many possible ways these stories can be used to join in the conversation.  For example, you can share a video at an addictions treatment centre to offer clients hope on their healing journeys, use it as a staff tool in a community program, or use it in policy discussions to help shape addictions treatment and prevention options.  The stories may also inspire you personally to join the conversation!


THE JOURNEY MAGNET

When you order the DVD, you will also receive a copy of the Journey Magnet to start a conversation to discover what you or someone you know has in common with others for whom Aboriginal culture is an important part of their healing journey.  It looks like this:


HANDOUT OF SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO USE THE MAGNET

As well, you will recveive an Exercise Sheet with suggestions on how to use the Journey Magnet.

        

 

HOW TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


You can also join in the conversation by completing the survey

 

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

 

 

PROJECT PARTNERS      

This community-based project is grounded in a commitment to bring together Indigenous traditional and Western knowledge in a shared space. Elders, researchers, cultural practitioners, students, individuals with lived experience, service providers, decision makers and others have guided the project.

The project draws from a  research proposal developed by the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation  and the University of Saskatchewan, and is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.  The proposal responds to the renewal framework recommendations for the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) and Youth Solvent Addiction program (YSAP), outlined in Hounouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations People in Canada. The framework is the result of a four-year community-driven review by the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (NNAPF), the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIH) of Health Canada. The framework outlines a continuum of care in order to support strengthened community, regional, and national responses to substance use issues.

FUNDING

Financial support has been provided by Health Canada through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Drug Treatment Funding Program, the Office of the Research Chair in Substance Abuse at the University of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Team for Research and Evaluation of Addictions Treatment and Mental Health Services.

NEWS RELEASE

U of S Researchers Partner with Aboriginal Leaders to Explore the Power of Culture to Heal Addictions.  University of Saskatchewan News Release, June 21, 2012.

Two University of Saskatchewan-Based Addictions Projects Address Aboriginal Culture in Healing.   University of Saskatchewan News Release, January 6, 2012.

“Health Canada is proud to be supporting these initiatives through the funding it provides to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health for the project, Strengthening Substance Abuse Treatment Systems, said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.”

 

The project partners are not responsible for the content of the stories and provide them for the sole purpose of the user to draw upon them as they best see fit.