Re: Sweat Lodge in Correction Institutions?

Les Tate (ltate@hiwaay.net)
Sat, 13 Apr 1996 20:52:02 -0600


Here are several web resources related to treatment of drug and alcohol
addictions/abuse among Native Americans using a cultural approach. I did
not find any specific to conducting a sweat lodge in prison. I also want
to mention a booklet my wife obtained a few years ago (she was a
nationally certified addictions counselor for about 10 years before
moving into another area of social work). "Come Closer Around the Fire:
Using Tribal Legends, Myths, and Stories in Preventing Drug Abuse" was
published by the US Dept of Health and Human Services, National
Institute on Drug Abuse and has been reprinted several times (our issue
was printed in '85); DHHS Publication No. (ADM) 85-741. It contains
stories provided by people from various tribes and should be a good
resource for prevention programs and perhaps help in the treatment as
well. Now back to the web.

The Red Road, a videotape published by the Hazelden Foundation of
Minnesota (probably the biggest publishers on addictions), is described
about 3/4 of the way down the following page. (Take a look at the rest
of the page, too. Very interesting info about Native American radio).
http://www.wco.com/~berryhp/nmrc.html

The following page provides a wealth of information about many health
issues, including addictions and tobacco, by the Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse. The link "Native Issues" provides a list of several
other links that might be of benefit.
http://www.ccsa.ca/classed.htm

The next site provides information about the Americans with Disabilities
Act, which states that persons who able to perform on the job or have or
in a treatment program (including AA and NA) cannot be discriminated
against. However, it's no good for those who screw up on the job because
they're plastered.
http://www.ccsa.ca/classed.htm

Here's information on two books about domestic violence and
shelter/counseling programs with a Native perspective. These should
contain information applicable to chemical addictions treatment. The
second book is a sequel to the first.
http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/anowacka/family.html
http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/anowacka/warrior.html

This site provides information about a case in Massachusetts involving
Native American spiritual freedom in prison, and a link to a concept
paper entitled "Medicine Teachers Association for Prisons."
http://hanksville.phast.umass.edu/~native/pde/trapp/

You may also want to visit (and contact) the National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information.
http://www.health.org

Here's one about a charitable non-profit treatment center in Canada
which uses native teachings and traditions in the treatment.
http://www.tpcorp.com/StN/selkirk.html

That's about it. Hope this helps.

Les Tate