Indigenous Healing for Addiction and Mental Health Recovery

For Native Indian and Alaska Native people, cultural practices and medicines are an essential part of life. By offering a holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, spirit, and culture, relatives in our care can reclaim personal and cultural identity while healing from addiction, trauma, or mental health issues.

Our program is carefully designed to incorporate cultural teachings, granting our relatives the ability to be examples of intergenerational knowledge and wisdom. By using culturally adapted curriculum, we can be a community resource to any tribe.

The Thundermaker Approach

A circular diagram divided into four phases, each representing different qualities for personal development: Phase One includes humility, perseverance, and truth; Phase Two includes honor, forgiveness, and self-love; Phase Three includes fortitude, generosity, and wisdom; Phase Four includes strength, compassion, and bravery. The circle has color-coded segments (black, red, white, yellow) and rings with words related to programs, cultural effects, health, and lifestyle. The four phases are arranged sequentially around the circle.
  • Group of seven people standing in an indoor room, smiling and posing for a photo, with a colorful protest art painting on the wall behind them.

    Sense of Identity and Belonging

    Engaging in Indigenous cultural practices can help Native people in recovery reconnect with their heritage and identity, providing a sense of belonging and purpose.

  • A hand is holding a small beaded bracelet with black, white, and green beads, while a wooden loom and other craft supplies are visible on a wooden surface.

    Spiritual Healing

    Many traditional practices involve spiritual elements that can offer comfort, guidance, and a deeper sense of meaning, becoming foundational in their healing journey.

  • A diverse group of people sitting in a circle and having a discussion in a room with a whiteboard filled with notes and diagrams in the background.

    Community Support

    Cultural practices often involve community participation, fostering a supportive network of relatives and like-minded people can provide encouragement and accountability.

  • Fresh bunches of carrots with green tops on a wooden display at a market.

    Holistic Approach

    Traditional practices often address multiple aspects of well-being, including physical, emotional, and spiritual health, leading to a more comprehensive and inclusive recovery process.

A close-up of a wooden table with a small black dish holding a sage bundle wrapped in black string, with a braided piece of rope beside it. In the background, Native American people are sewing medicine bags and beading eagle feathers.

Stigma Reduction

By incorporating cultural practices into addiction and mental health recovery, we can reduce stigma by framing healing within a broader cultural and historical context.

By integrating Indigenous traditional cultural practices into addiction recovery programs, individuals can benefit from a more inclusive and effective approach to healing. Here at Thundermaker, we offer cultural programs specific to the relative in our care, ensuring their treatment plans match their preferred cultural and personal healing journey.