Overview: The Gathering of Native Americans is based in shared understandings about the importance of:
- healthy traditions and community healing,
- a holistic approach to wellness,
- native peoples' involvement in history, culture and government--and historical traumas that impact events of today,
- everyone's value, purpose and contribution to the leadership and healing that emerge from within a community,
- support and empowerment for individuals to understand their role in the holistic universe,
- honor, respect and incorporate the purpose of life in rituals and teachings,
- translate feelings and healing into actions or different behavior, and
- create a safe place to share, dialog, tell stories and heal.
How Gatherings of Native Americans Work:
Incorporates above understandings into a series of sessions modeled on the four levels of human growth (belonging, mastering, interdependence, generosity).
The Payoff: Knowledge, awareness, skills and tools to develop and sustain on-going learning, growth and healing. Gatherings of Native Americans offer:
- encouragement, hope, and a positive base for action,
- frameworks for understanding and opportunity to build skills,
- safe and supportive environments.
How to Make It Happen: Experienced facilitators work with a group or community to organize a Gathering of Native Americans experience. Traditionally made available to Indian communities or communities with significant Indian involvement.
Non-Indian group or organization requests for experiences and trainings that use these models, principles, values and beliefs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Gathering of Native Americans, December 1994.
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Gathering of Native Americans
