Holistic SUD Treatment and Recovery Within Native Populations

Introduction

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to today’s webinar hosted by Patagonia Health. Today’s webinar topic is Holistic Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery within Native Populations.

We are so excited to hear from today’s panel of speakers. This includes Nielah, who is a medical family therapist at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. We have Mary Kate, who is the program manager for the Tribal Opioid Response Grant at the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board. And we have Faye, who is a peer recovery support specialist with that same grant at the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board.

Thank you all so much for presenting today. We are really excited to hear your presentation. I am going to stop sharing my screen so you can take over.

Program Overview (Mary Kate Haug)

As Dana said, I’m Mary Kate Haug. I am the program manager for the Tribal Opioid Response Program within the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board.

To give you a little background, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board is based in Oklahoma. We are also a Tribal Epidemiology Center, or TEC, one of several around the country. That arm of our organization does most of the work in Indian Country here in Oklahoma.

We have a variety of grants from different funders, but our overall goal is to advance tribal health across populations.

We will each speak to a different part of the program. Nielah is a medical family therapist at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. Cassandra, who also goes by Faye, is our peer recovery support specialist.

Partnership Structure

A unique part of our partnership is that Southern Plains is the grant holder. When the grant first came out about five years ago, urban Indian clinics were not eligible to apply. Oklahoma City Indian Clinic approached us to apply and sub-award to them.

So they are our sub-awardee and handle the day-to-day operations, while I focus on oversight, budgeting, reporting, and communication with SAMHSA.

Program Services

The grant primarily funds:

• A MAT clinic (medication-assisted treatment) for tribal citizens with opioid use disorder

• Referrals to outside resources

• Cultural programming related to recovery

• Wellbriety classes facilitated in prisons across the state

Patients begin by seeing a primary care provider and receiving Suboxone. From there, services include:

• Peer recovery support

• Physical therapy

• Behavioral health services (individual and group therapy)

• Talking circles and Wellbriety classes

The goal is to create a well-rounded support system that improves retention and outcomes.

Program Growth and Outcomes

Over the years, we have seen significant improvements in:

• Client retention

• Engagement

• Overall outcomes

This is largely due to improved coordination across departments and consistent follow-up with clients.

Additional supports include:

• Transportation services to appointments

• Sober living stipends

• Harm reduction supplies such as Narcan, medication lock bags, and disposal pouches

We also support awareness campaigns and outreach efforts.

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Peer Recovery and Wellbriety (Cassandra “Faye” Fraser)

Thank you, Mary Kate.

I introduced myself in my Cheyenne language. I said, “It is a good day. Hello, my name is Redleaf Woman.” That is my Cheyenne name. My birth name is Cassandra Fraser.

I am a certified peer recovery support specialist and a facilitator for the Native American peer support track through ODMHSAS, as well as a certified White Bison facilitator.

My Role

My role involves:

• Community outreach

• Facilitating Wellbriety classes

• Using lived experience to support others

I meet relatives where they are and aim to be a beacon of hope. I recover out loud so others know they are not alone.

Lived Experience

I am in recovery from:

• Substance use disorder

• Mental health challenges

• Suicide attempts

• Involvement in the criminal justice system

I have also experienced trauma, including domestic violence and sexual abuse. These experiences allow me to connect deeply with others.

What is Wellbriety?

Wellbriety is a holistic, culturally based recovery movement for Indigenous people. It combines:

• Sobriety

• Wellness

• Healing from intergenerational trauma

• Traditional Native American values

It focuses on healing the whole person:

• Mental

• Spiritual

• Emotional

• Physical

For me, Wellbriety changed my life by reconnecting me with my cultural identity and helping me find wholeness.

Talking Circles and Healing Circles

A major part of the work involves talking circles.

Key principles:

• The circle is sacred

• Everyone is equal

• Healing happens face-to-face and heart-to-heart

Elements often included:

• Four colors (red, yellow, black, white) representing unity

• Sacred items such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco

Talking circles are inclusive and open to anyone, regardless of background.

Four Laws of Change

Key teachings in Wellbriety include:

• Change comes from within

• Development requires vision

• Learning happens individually and collectively

• Healing requires community participation

The concept of a “healing forest” illustrates that individuals cannot fully heal if their environment remains unhealthy.

Community Outreach

Outreach includes:

• Work in jails and prisons

• Facilitating recovery circles

• Helping individuals reconnect with identity and purpose

The guiding belief is that the opposite of addiction is connection.

Cultural Competency and Humility

Cultural teachings emphasize:

• Interconnectedness

• Respect for all living things

• The impact of decisions on seven future generations

• Strong family bonds

• The wisdom of elders

Cultural humility means recognizing that learning is ongoing and that no one is the expert on another person’s experience.

Medicine Wheel Overview

The medicine wheel represents balance across:

• Directions: North, South, East, West

• Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

• Life stages: Infant, Child, Adult, Elder

• Elements: Air, Water, Earth, Fire

• States of being: Physical, Mental, Spiritual, Emotional

Recovery is about achieving balance in all areas.

Closing Reflection

The real meaning of life is family, love, respect, and tradition. Families are central to passing on cultural knowledge and values.

Integrated Care Approach (Nielah Blaylock)

Hello everyone, my name is Nielah Blaylock. I am a medical family therapist at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.

Integrated Care Model

We provide integrated, culturally responsive care focused on whole-person wellbeing.

I work alongside:

• Pharmacists

• Behavioral health counselors

• Psychiatrists

My Role

My responsibilities include:

• Screenings (PHQ-9, GAD-7)

• Safety assessments

• Coordinating referrals

• Providing brief interventions

I also help address barriers such as transportation through programs like Send A Ride.

Supporting Recovery

Key elements that support recovery:

• Addressing access barriers

• Building trust

• Meeting patients where they are

• Encouraging engagement

We emphasize patient autonomy while offering consistent support.

Whole-Person Care

We connect patients to resources such as:

• Nutrition services

• Physical therapy

• Fitness facilities

• Food assistance

• Vocational rehabilitation

Family involvement and cultural identity are central to care.

Conclusion

Thank you to all of our presenters.

If this is your first time hearing about Patagonia Health, we are an integrated EHR, practice management, and billing solution serving public health, behavioral health, and tribal health organizations.

We will be sending a follow-up email with the recording and helpful links.

Thank you all for joining us, and have a great rest of your day.