THE DIFFERENCE A NATIVE WOMEN’S AWARENESS CIRCLE MAKES IN A TREATMENT PROGRAMSHERRI-LYN HILL PIERCE – Native Spirit ConsultingLAUREL WHALEN-CURRAN – Womankind Addiction ServiceKARI WHITELAW – Womankind Addiction Service

Sheri-Lyn Hill Pierce FNWACCB, ICADC, CASACNative Spirit Consultingwww.nativespiritconsulting.comOhsweken, OntarioOffice (905)573-1473

Laurel Whalen- Curran Womankind Addiction ServiceSenior Addiction CounsellorHamilton, Ontario(905)521-9591 ext 238

Kari WhitelawWomankind Addiction ServiceClinical SupervisorHamilton, Ontario(905)521-9591 ext 232

Native Spirit Consulting

OVERVIEW

• IDENTIFIED GAPS IN PROGRAM/SERVICES• HOW COLLABORATION DEVELOPED IN

ALIGNMENT WITH BEST PRACTICES• THE NWA CIRCLE - HOW,WHAT, WHEN & WHY• EVALUATION OUTCOMES• SMUDGING CLOSURE• HANDOUTS

WHAT WE LEARNED

• 5 YEAR MARK AND LOOKING AT GAP AND ENHANCEMENT

• BEST PRACTICES – LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN SERVE SPECIAL POPULATIONS BETTER

• ABORIGINAL WOMEN HAVE SPECIFIC WAYS OF INTERPRETING LIFE AND CHANGE THAT ARE OFTEN NOT UNDERSTOOD OR INCORPRATED BY MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS

HOW COLLABORATION DEVELOPED

ALIGNMENT WITH BEST PRACTICES

Programs lack attention to spiritual values and

traditional ceremonies

The use of positive Aboriginal role models needs to be

enhanced

WHAT WAS NEEDED:

Grounding the holistic framework in a grass roots approach

Valuing that there are pockets of expertise outside of our own walls

The cultural face provides validity to program delivery

A Native Women’s Awareness Circle for all Ethnic Women

• Grass Roots Approach• Facilitated weekly in the 5 week treatment

program• Opportunity for women to integrate learning and

awareness to have a better understanding of their life

• The desired outcome is for women to value themselves with mainstream learning coupled

with First Nations cultural learning

Difference Between Spirituality & Religion

Spirituality: Being Connected with all living things (Freedom all around you)

Dictionary: Of the human spirit or soul.

Religion: Something that has been handed down and where it is practicedDictionary: Belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.

My Vision• To give women the strength that is

within them, to believe in themselves and to respect themselves.

• You carry the strength of your ancestors into the hearts of the future.

• 7 Generations ahead• Take your life mistakes as TEACHINGS• You wouldn’t be the woman who you

are if those things did not happen to you.

• I wanted them to understand you are always learning in life and there is always teaching moments to pass on to others.

BALANCING ALL ASPECTSPhysical

Mental

Emotional

Spiritual

•Takes time

•Understanding

•Learning what we need to do differently

•Balance all

HOLISTIC APPROACH/MEDICINE WHEEL

Spiritually SpirituallyMentally

Mentally

Emotionally

EmotionallyPhysically

Physically

Loss of faithLoss of identity

Substance AbuseViolence

Low Self EsteemHelplessnessShame

SadAloneHurt

Cultural Pride A faith of some kind Reviving tradition/ language

Self worthSelf esteemStable

Better healthSetting boundaries

Talking Asking for Help Acknowledge feelings

LOST FINDING SELF

WOMANKIND

NWA Circle Program at a Glance

• Begin and end each session with a prayer, positive words or smudging with sage/sweetgrass

• Intention is to help individuals to be grounded and have a clear positive mind going into session

PROGRAMWeek #1: How come we are where we are in life today?• This session will help the women to be more aware of themselves and understanding

why they are where they are in life today. Week#2: How come we choose to make ourselves suffer?• This session will help the women to understand their ineffective coping skills and to be

able to acknowledge their strengths.

Week#3 : How come there is drama in my life?• This session will help the women to understand the areas in their life that is being

affected and value the importance of boundaries.

Week#4: How come it’s hard to accept responsibility?• This session will help the women to learn new skills that will assist them to take

responsibility for self in a more effective way. Week#5: What’s my next step in my healing outside these walls?• This session will help the women to enhance all their skills in what they have learned

over the five weeks and to realize the supports they do have all around them.

After Each Session• Self Evaluation (Physical/Mental/Emotional/Spiritual)• Evaluation for Womankind• Close session with smudging • Giving Thanks

LISTEN TO THE WISDOM OF YOUR HEART.

“ I am going to listen to my gut and follow my heart. I am going to set boundaries. I am going to maintain and nurture my spirituality.” NWAC participant

BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT.

“ I am going to remember that she taught me I am important and worth loving myself and I don’t desire to be hurt anymore. I am a strong woman and I should always

listen to my instinct. “NWAC participant

CLIENT EVALUATIONSWhat I have learned in the NWAC group will help me to better manage my addiction .

4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6

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Yearly average of scoring 1(n/a) - 6 (strongly agree)

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Should the NWAC group continue to be part of the weekly treatment groups?

4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6

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QUA

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Yearly average of scoring 1(n/a) - 6 (strongly agree)

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41

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4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6

Should the NWAC group continue to be part of the weekly treatment groups?

Yearly average of scoring 1(n/a) - 6 (strongly agree)

QUA

RTER

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47

73

46

41

SISTER TO SISTEREXPRESSED WANTS

Have Healthy Friends

To Find Self

Trusted by Family

To Be Believed In

Healthy Communication

Substance FreeBe connected

Finding Meaning

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING“It gave me a more rounded understanding of my own spirituality. A tool I will carry throughout my recovery.”

“Keep being positive. Knowing the real me. After treatment continue supportnetwork to keep recovered. Talk to my Higher Power and thank him. Love myself.”

“Realize my strength as a woman and apply the things I’velearned in real life.”

“It is reassuring having my weeks lessons reinforced.”

“This class has taught me self respect and helped me in setting boundaries. I have a voice.”

“I liked the Native group a lot and I’mnot Native.”

“We can alter our lives by altering our attitudes. That really stuck out for me. It is simple but so true. I’ve altered my attitude so far (more positive) and have noticed some changes already. Sheri-Lyn spoke a lot about what we’ve learned in groups but put a different spin on it which helped It sink in even more.”

OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Pleasant surprise was how the programming was beneficial in a number of ways

• Behaviours• Increased retention of clients • Participants have grasped concepts of

spirituality and a willingness to explore • Increased awareness for staff

Questions

SMUDGING

Explaining:Eagle Feather

Indian TobaccoSageSweet GrassSmudging ShellHow to Smudge Self

Grounding Stone: Turtle