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The Thrive Initiative
"Dedicated to improving community responses to families, youth and trauma survivors through the integration of trauma knowledge and system of care principles in service systems.
Our work supports resiliency and recovery. We are a strength-based, collaborative community partner."
Restoring Our Health
A new chapter opened in the Chugach Region. A varied representation of community members came together to discuss health issues the region has long faced (see photo gallery). This meeting, however, focused on exploring the causes of the health issues, namely the childhood and historical traumas which result in continuing cycles of unhealthy choices.
The Restoration to Health Consult was held in Anchorage April 6-8. Community members from Tatitlek, Seward, Port Graham, Nanwalek, Cordova and Chenega Bay attended. Consult participants included Elders, parents, tribal leaders, youth and service providers.
The key to the terms “recovery” and
“restoration” is the people of the region
getting back what they once had:
healthy lifestyles built on subsistence,
sharing,
family and spirituality.
One of the key points for exploration during the consult is the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, a collaboration between Vincent Felitti, MD, of Kaiser Permanente, (see video) and Robert F. Anda, MD, MS, of the Centers for Disease Control. According to its website, the “ACE Study is perhaps the largest scientific research study of its kind, analyzing the relationship between multiple categories of childhood trauma and health and behavioral outcomes later in life (www.acestudy.org)."
Dr. Felitti presented his findings on the first day of the consult. His experience with many patients suffering from a variety of health and behavioral issues (including substance abuse, smoking, obesity and violent behavior) is they experienced one or more traumatic conditions before the age of 18. Dr. Felitti’s patients are adults who are smokers, alcoholics, drug abusers, obese or violent. All of them grew up in households where they experienced
physical, emotional or sexual abuse; alcohol or drug use; missing parent or parents; violence or neglect; depression.
Adults who make unhealthy choices are doing so because they are either coping with such traumas, or simply following learned behavior. It has long been believed that unhealthy choices and addictions are a result of genetics. Dr. Felitti disagrees. He used the example: if a child grows up in a household where everyone speaks English, he will speak English. If a child grows up in a household of Spanish speakers, he will speak Spanish. In the same way, if a child grows up in a home of smokers, he will most likely grow up and smoke. Like language, it is a learned behavior, not a trait genetically passed on.
These findings are supported by Gabor Maté, MD (see video), who also spoke on the first day of the consult. Dr. Maté is a physician, public speaker and best-selling author of several books, including In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. He is staff physician at the Portland Hotel, Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside clinic where his patients are people with drug addictions, HIV and related problems. In his experience, compulsive and unhealthy behaviors in people are self-medication. They are trying to fill voids left in their lives by traumatic upbringings like the ones Dr. Fellitti identifies.
Dr. Maté encourages compassion and understanding for those with addictive behaviors. He says every one of his patients with serious addictions were victims of some form of childhood trauma. Our society, unfortunately, focuses on punishment. The “War on Drugs,” in effect, sends society’s victims to prison.
Harold Napoleon, author of “Yuuyaraq: Way of the Human Being,” was also a featured speaker. Harold addressed the generational trauma experienced by Alaska Natives since European, Russian and American traders and missionaries arrived. Prior to this, Alaska Natives knew who they were and were in touch with their spirits. Outsiders forced Natives to give up their traditional ways and languages in order to assimilate to Western society. Harold said “if a caribou becomes confused and acts like a whale, it will die.” Likewise, Natives must return to who they really are in order to survive.
Eduardo Duran, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in historical trauma and the resulting psychological effects. Dr. Duran believes that “wounding of the spirit” has occurred in most parts of the world and has been perpetrated upon people of all ethnicities and nationalities. The key to recovery is acknowledgement of trauma and forgiveness of the perpetrator, otherwise the cycle will continue indefinitely.
As a clinical child psychologist at the University of Oklahoma, Delores Subia BigFoot, PhD, has seen the results of trauma on Native children. She advocates for leadership and citizens to recognize a need for change. We all must be willing to change to break the cycle, to intervene when necessary, and work together to guide our children and ensure that they feel safe, protected and valued.
On the final day of the consult, Diane Benson, a name familiar to most Alaska Natives, shared her own memories of trauma. Her story of survival and success despite numerous abuses throughout her life proved to be painful to hear. Nevertheless, the strength she displayed captured the attention of everyone in the room. The hope and optimism Diane inspired was a highlight. She filled the room with her confidence and defiance of the those who seek to oppress.
Each day attendants broke off into work groups and discussed how the information presented can benefit the region. Utilizing World Café tools, the groups brainstormed on topics such as values, happiness, wellness and spirituality.
Participants at the Restoration to Health Consult were very eager to bring back what they learned to their communities. Community members are ready to take a “no shame, no blame” approach to confronting the traumas that lie beneath the health issues throughout the region. They want to get better and they know they can get better.
Many expressed a wish to return to simpler times, when people shared what they had and spent time together. A time when family and community relationships were important, when children were taught and lead by example. A time before alcohol and chemically processed Western foods began to encroach on their good health; when salmon, berries, moose, seal and halibut were the primary diet.
Also evident is the belief they can take control of the situation — they are responsible for restoring and recovering health. Members of each village vocalized a willingness to take responsibility and assist in the journey toward restoration.
The key to the terms “recovery” and “restoration” is the Alaska Native peoples of the region are getting back what they once had: healthy lifestyles built on subsistence, sharing, family and spirituality. The Restoration to Health Consult is a big first step in a journey many are ready to take.