Supporting and celebrating healthier, more loving and meaningful lives and families, free from addiction, one day and hug at a time!

Family Resources for Native Americans

Virtual Family Program for Native American Families

The Virtual Family Program is intended to support the families and friends of a person struggling with a substance use disorder. Through a combination of presentations, Q&A, peer feedback and application of new concepts, the family program strives to create an interactive, supportive learning and processing environment.

All sessions are presented live virtually via Webex and held one Wednesday per month, 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (CST).

Recommended Books

From the Ashes
My Story of Being Indigenous, Homeless, and Finding My Way
Jesse Thistle

An award-winning memoir about overcoming trauma, prejudice, and addiction by a Métis-Cree author as he struggles to find a way back to himself and his Indigenous culture is “an illuminating, inside account of homelessness, a study of survival and freedom” (Amanda Lindhout).

The Red Road to Wellbriety
In The Native American Way
White Bison

A guide to alcohol and drug recovery and sobriety especially for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations people. It utilizes a 12-Step approach to addictions recovery based in and culturally appropriate to the ways of life of Native and aboriginal societies.

Meditations with Native American Elders
The Four Seasons
Don L. Coyhis

Four previously published separate volumes of meditations in one complete volume.

Understanding the Purpose of Life
12 Teachings for Native Youth
Don L. Coyhis

So many of our youth are not being told about the meaning and purpose of their lives. They are not being told what the purpose of a young warrior should be. This concise book (60 pages) offers 12 Teachings to help our youth find meaning and purpose in life.

Alcohol Problems in Native America
The Untold Story of Resistance and Recovery - the Truth about the Lie
Don L. Coyhis

This is a carefully researched history of Native American experiences as seen through the lens of the presence of alcohol in Indian communities, and more importantly, how communities resisted alcohol.

The Way of Our People
Weekly Inspiration for American Indians in Recovery from Alcoholism
Donald Richard Wright

BALM Book - The Loving Path to Family Recovery - Download Chapter 1
These inspirational meditations, prayers, and stories were written by an Ojibwe Elder and alcohol and drug counselor to speak directly to American Indians about their everyday experience of recovery from alcoholism.

Find Hazelden Betty Ford resources on our Amazon.com page.

Empowering Recovery and Well-Being for All

Find dozens of helpful videos on every aspect of recovery on the Hazelden Betty Ford YouTube channel.

Substance Use Disorders


Understanding the science behind substance use disorders and the recovery process, with a brief overview of co-occurring disorders.

Groups for Native American Support

Native American/Indian Alcoholics Anonymous (nai-aa.com) - includes Al-Anon

[Virtual Event] Khunsi Onikan Well-Anon (Native American Al-Anon) Meeting – American Indian Family Center (aifcmn.org)

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation offers outpatient mental health services for family members in many states. In Minnesota, these groups include Recovery Relationships and Families Affected by Addiction (FABA). Find more at: Mental Health Services | Hazelden Betty Ford

White Bison Wellbriety Meetings

White Bison Family Programs

Wellbriety Conferences

Twelve Step Alumni Meetings - Hazelden Betty Ford Chapter Meetings

Register for Free Virtual Family Program

Delivered in a one-day format online, our virtual Family Program is available free to anyone who needs it, no matter where you live

Available in English and Español.

Donate to Help Other Families

Your donation will help another family be better able to support a loved one in recovery. Click here to donate today.

Find a Sober Coach

Convenient and confidential, Hazelden Betty Ford's Connection program helps you navigate early recovery with personalized recovery coaching.You can also receive monitoring and accountability reports, as well as random drug testing.

Helpful Websites

WhiteBison.org
Culturally-based healing to indigenous people

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