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THE DIFFERENCE A NATIVE WOMEN’S AWARENESS CIRCLE MAKES IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM

THE DIFFERENCE A NATIVE WOMEN’S AWARENESS CIRCLE MAKES IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM. SHERRI-LYN HILL PIERCE – Native Spirit Consulting LAUREL WHALEN-CURRAN – Womankind Addiction Service KARI WHITELAW – Womankind Addiction Service. Native Spirit Consulting.

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THE DIFFERENCE A NATIVE WOMEN’S AWARENESS CIRCLE MAKES IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM

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  1. THE DIFFERENCE A NATIVE WOMEN’S AWARENESS CIRCLE MAKES IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM SHERRI-LYN HILL PIERCE – Native Spirit Consulting LAUREL WHALEN-CURRAN – Womankind Addiction Service KARI WHITELAW – Womankind Addiction Service

  2. Native Spirit Consulting Sheri-Lyn Hill Pierce FNWACCB, ICADC, CASAC Native Spirit Consulting www.nativespiritconsulting.com Ohsweken, Ontario Office (905)573-1473 Laurel Whalen- Curran Womankind Addiction Service Senior Addiction Counsellor Hamilton, Ontario (905)521-9591 ext 238 Kari Whitelaw Womankind Addiction Service Clinical Supervisor Hamilton, Ontario (905)521-9591 ext 232

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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 practiced Dictionary: Belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.

  8. 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.

  9. BALANCING ALL ASPECTS Physical • Takes time • Understanding • Learning • what we need to do differently • Balance all Mental Emotional Spiritual

  10. HOLISTIC APPROACH/MEDICINE WHEEL FINDING SELF LOST Mentally Spiritually Spiritually Mentally Cultural Pride A faith of some kind Reviving tradition/ language Low Self Esteem Helplessness Shame Self worth Self esteem Stable Loss of faith Loss of identity WOMANKIND Emotionally Physically Emotionally Physically Talking Asking for Help Acknowledge feelings Better health Setting boundaries Sad Alone Hurt Substance Abuse Violence

  11. 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

  12. PROGRAM Week #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.

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

  14. 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

  15. CLIENT EVALUATIONS

  16. EXPRESSED WANTS SISTER TO SISTER To Be Believed In To Find Self Trusted by Family Have Healthy Friends Be connected Substance Free Healthy Communication Finding Meaning

  17. 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 support network to keep recovered. Talk to my Higher Power and thank him. Love myself.” “Realize my strength as a woman and apply the things I’ve learned in real life.” “I liked the Native group a lot and I’m not Native.” “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.” “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.”

  18. 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

  19. Questions

  20. SMUDGING Explaining: Eagle Feather Indian Tobacco Sage Sweet Grass Smudging Shell How to Smudge Self Grounding Stone: Turtle

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