Culturally based recovery programs render a space to reconnect with traditional ways and cultural roots by rebuilding cultural identity and spiritual support systems. In this episode I feature staff from the The Haven’s Native Ways Program. It was developed by, and is staffed with, professionals with backgrounds in the local Indigenous cultures and includes the teachings of White Bison Wellbriety Movement. The long term aim is to help women heal from substance use disorders through their culture and traditions. The Haven Native Ways Program capitalizes on Indigenous communities’ strengths and resilience and provides historical trauma-informed care. By developing cultural knowledge and spiritual identity, the program promotes healthy behaviors. Native Ways offers Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment with Recovery Housing, as well as alumnae programming. The program has grown in recent years, and in 2022, The Haven hired a Native and Indigenous Service Manager to elevate the program and make sure it has the resources needed for best practices. In April 2023, The Haven’s largest Recovery House was dedicated to the Native Ways Program, doubling its bed capacity from 6 to 12.
I had the privilege of sitting with staff from The Haven as they shared their roles in the program as well as sharing a little of their background. Natividad Cano, LISAC, ADS, is a Mexican Native and has been working in the substance use disorder field since 1989. She has been at The Haven since 2007 and is currently the Cultural Educator for the Native Ways Program. She previously worked for 8 years on the border of Arizona and Northern Mexico for Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) in Douglas and Bisbee, AZ, 5 years with GFS (Gateway Foundation Services) working in a state prison setting with female inmates, and 10 years in a private practice with her late husband working with under-served Spanish-speaking populations. Nati is active in the community, collaborating with other agencies in promoting culturally appropriate, gender-specific and age-specific programs. She is on the Board of Wings for Women whose mission is to empower women to break the cycle of hopelessness and lead healthy and productive lives and is a member for the Red Road to Wellbriety Celebration Committee promoting and celebrating wellness and sobriety in Indian Country. Nati enjoys volunteering, cooking, reading, and spending time with her children, grand-daughters, and her 7 siblings and their families. For the past 8 years Nati has participated in the Migrant Trail, a 70 mile walk from the Mexico/USA border in Sasabe, Sonora to Tucson, AZ to remember the men, women, and children who have died while crossing the desert.
Tracy Aleksic is an internationally accredited yoga therapist, master yoga teacher with over 25 years of experience, and an educational provider. She was the CEO of Radiant Centre and hosts annual international wellness retreats. Tracy has manualized two yoga teacher training programs, formed an accredited school, and traveled worldwide studying various spiritual and cultural traditions. Recently, she became AZ Acupuncture Board Certified in AcuWellness 5NP.
Tracy began her career working in mental health and has always felt a strong calling to help individuals cultivate compassion and heal trauma through alternative healing modalities. In 2022, she moved to Tucson with her family and began working for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe under Sewa Uusim as a yoga therapist and relaxation specialist. She facilitated workplace wellness presentations to the providers and staff and created community events for the diabetes prevention program. Her love and respect for this resilient Indigenous community is boundless. Tracy is motivated to continue helping people heal through cultural connections, collaborating with Native and Indigenous communities, building programs for Native Ways, and creating unique opportunities for Haven members to be successful in their recovery.
