Indigenous Recovery Coaching Program staging culture camp

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 25, 2023.

The Indigenous Recovery Coaching Program (IRC) is putting together an in-house culture camp, looking to help provide cultural and community education towards the recovery process.

From March 28 to 30, the IRC will be offering seminars focusing on the Siksikaitsitapi, Blackfoot Confederacy, and the recovery process.

Seminars will include talks from Elders as well as discussions about Reconciliation history, and a look at the balance between recovery and community.

“We opened this camp up to community members, focused to individuals who are in recovery. We have six sessions that are going to be running throughout the three days,” said Garret Standing Alone, Indigenous Recovery Coach with IRC.

“We have it open to the community, people that are working in the recovery field, and people that are in recovery, it is geared to both those sectors.”

Day one will host two sessions, focusing on isspomoowa, helping, and defining addictions. The second day will touch on the history of reconciliation, and the Niitsitapi culture. The third day will have two sessions on balance, mind body and sprit and the importance of that with recovery and life, as well as a discussion on how community is part of the recovery process.

“Session Six is going to be about community as part of the recovery. The resources that are out there available to individuals who are working on their recovery, and what that looks like. How we can alleviate some of the barriers they face on a daily while in recovery,” said Standing Alone.

Cultural intervention offers hope and a new approach to the recovery process with case studies showing the benefits to helping improve client functioning towards wellness.

“I’m a big believer in reconnecting with culture, ceremony, and traditional ways. The sense that it grounds an individual and gives them that connection,” said Standing Alone. “There are many generations behind you, that have fought for you to be where you are today. Regaining that warrior spirit, to continue fighting for the next generation and getting yourself to a place where you are able to turn around and help connect.”

Standing Alone notes it shows unity, and can help create a ripple-effect encouraging others to pursue the road to recovery.

To sign up for the camp or to get more information, people can contact Standing Alone at 587-328-8162 or email him at garret@indigenousrecoverycoaching.com.

“We are doing it with 40 seats available,” said Standing Alone. “This helps people that are working in the recovery field have a broader scope. More tools to work with when they are with their participants.”