The story of Wellbriety
The Kootéeyaa Project totem represents the Native journey to wellness, the SEARHC substance abuse and prevention treatment programs, and the process of transformation and the continuing journey to "Wellbriety."
Wellbriety is part of a national movement that promotes wellness and sobriety by using a Native journey to healing for the total person — a journey that links physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Representatives from White Bison (www.whitebison.org), the group that fostered the national Wellbriety movement, were on hand for the pole raising with their sacred hoop. It was the first time the sacred hoop had been brought to Alaska.
The Kootéeyaa Project's mission statement is "to promote and demonstrate the natural partnership between health and Alaskan cultures through the embodiment of wellness, community collaboration and traditional values." The project received funding from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
Kootéeyaa Project chairwoman Roberta Sue Kitka, Taa.soo in Tlingit, wrote the following story about the Wellbriety Kootéeyaa. The story was presented to and approved by the SEARHC Elders Council.
WELLBRIETY KOOTÉEYAA
Ravens and Eagles were very sad about the many things their people had endured.
Diseases wiped out many Ravens and Eagles and their Shamans.
Missionaries told them their ways were wrong — "Do not speak your language or do your ceremonies, and burn the regalia and totems." Shamans were thrown in prison and their hair was cut short, causing much grief amongst the Ravens and Eagles.
Ravens and Eagles grieved for generations to come — "Multigenerational Grief."
Many illnesses followed, such as alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C virus and cancer, to name a few.
Ravens and Eagles are stepping out of the darkness.
Ravens and Eagles have come full circle, moving back to cultural ways for healing the mind, body and spirit — a transformation that occurs from moving from the dark into the light.
Ravens and Eagles have entered a time of healing and regenerating the mind, body and spirit.
Ravens and Eagles are stepping into the light and healing multigenerational grief issues so they do not pass them on to the next generations.
Ravens and Eagles are stepping into the light and healing from alcohol and drug abuse.
Ravens and Eagles are stepping into the light and helping people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, Hepatitis C and other diseases.
Ravens and Eagles are stepping into the light and entering a time of the "WELLBRIETY" Generation.
GRANT YOURSELF THE POWER OF CHOICE!
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Copyright © 2006, SEARHC
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
