Northwest Indian Treatment Center

The Northwest Indian Treatment Center runs a 45-day residential treatment program in Elma, Washington. Northwest cultural traditions are woven into the basic fabric of the program. In the words of the director, June O'Brien:

Patients must be able to see themselves in their recovery. Their culture is their medicine. Native plants, singing, drumming, a sweat lodge, beading, and support from local native spiritual communities are part of the program. These act like pillars to hold patients up during their recovery. When patients' traditions are honored in the healing process, re-traumatization is less likely to occur.

The Treatment Center's traditional foods and medicines program is supported through a partnership with the Northwest Indian College and is funded through grants from the Washington Health Foundation, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, The Potlatch Fund and several tribes. Weekly hands-on classes focus on traditional foods and medicines, including methods for growing, harvesting, processing, and preparation. Twice a month, tribal elders, storytellers, and cultural specialists speak as part of the program. A monthly family class allows patients to share what they are learning with their loved ones. Patients gain hands-on experience by working in three on-site teaching gardens. This program serves as a model for other tribal communities.

Teacher training programs offered at the Treatment Center include the Diabetes Prevention through Traditional Plants Curriculum and the Creating Community Gardens Training. For more information please contact Elise Krohn at ekrohn@nwic.edu.