Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

April 5, 2003 - Issue 84

Sacred Hoop Journey IV "Putting a New Face on Recovery"

Hoop Journey IV travels a loop traversing the central and eastern portion of the U.S., bringing a Wellbriety Day presentation to each day-long visit in each of the 16 planned stops. "Wellbriety" means to be sober and well. Wellbriety teaches that we must find sobriety from substance abuse and recover from the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on individuals, families and whole communities. The "Well" part of Wellbriety is the inspiration to go on beyond sobriety and recovery, committing to live a life of wellness and healing everyday.

The 100 Eagle Feather Hoop is a Native American cultural element that is an important part of each Wellbriety Day visit on Hoop Journey IV. The Hoop carries the gifts of Healing • Hope • Unity and • The Power to Forgive the Unforgivable. It is the centerpiece of each Wellbriety Day gathering on the 6 week Hoop Journey and is present as each Wellbriety Day agenda unfolds.

A typical Wellbriety Day event includes viewing the documentary video for last year's Hoop Journey III, which was dedicated to Healing Native American Women and children. Hoop Journey III in 2002 traveled some 7000 miles visiting Native American communities west of the Mississippi river, just as the upcoming Journey will make its traverse east of the Mississippi.

Each local Wellbriety Day includes ample time for the local community to proudly present its own culturally-relevant healing and wellness activities or community efforts. Since the focus of the upcoming Hoop Journey in April and May of 2003 involves Native American men and children, there will be presentations and community sharing that concentrates on how men can connect with the youth.

White Bison, Inc., is an American Indian non profit organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Through White Bison, it's Founder and President Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation, has offered healing resources to Native America since 1988. White Bison offers sobriety, recovery, addictions prevention, and wellness/Wellbriety learning resources to the Native American community nation wide. Many non-Native people also use White Bison's product line and attend its learning circles, including the coming Hoop Journey IV. This year's Hoop Journey will introduce Sons of Tradition, a brand new White Bison learning curriculum for Native America.

Sons of Tradition is a substance abuse prevention education program for 13-17 year old Native American boys and young men. It is a facilitated year-long training program in which male youth will learn the values, personal and interpersonal skills, and the self esteem enhancing attitudes needed to avoid unhealthy behaviors. It is a program presented in a Native American cultural format that people of all tribal backgrounds will recognize.

The Sons of Tradition tool kit to be introduced on Hoop Journey IV includes: A learning booklet • A set of mind mapping posters • the Seven Philosophies booklet • A Grandpa Says Video • A Cycle of Life Video • and a Talking Circle Video. The entire catalog of White Bison sobriety, recovery, prevention and Wellbriety resources will also be on display during each of the Hoop Journey visits.

Up to the minute details for each of the planned Hoop Journey IV gatherings can be found by visiting the White Bison website, www.whitebison.org, or calling toll free 1-877-871-1495.

Visit the website for: A listing of local coordinators in each of the 16 cities or towns • The exact location of each Hoop Journey IV event • Unique local additions to the Wellbriety Day plans • and for stories and interviews with Native American Elders and others involved with this year's Hoop Journey. Click on the Hoop Journey IV information box on the website home page for detailed information, or click on the Wellbriety! Online Magazine box on the homepage for stories and interviews.

All information found in these locations may be used by communities or media outlets free of charge in the interests of healing and wellness. For media interviews concerning Hoop Journey IV contact Richard Simonelli at (303) 258-7424 or richsimone@aol.com

There is no charge for Wellbriety Day events on Hoop Journey IV. Both Native and non Native people are cordially invited to participate. To learn about sobriety, recovery, prevention and a life of Wellbriety, participate in Hoop Journey IV in your community this coming April and May, 2003!

1-St. Louis, MO April 4
2-Cherokee, NC April 9
3-Washington, DC April 12
4-Baltimore, MD April 14
5-New York City April 17
6-Connecticut April 19
7-Boston, MA April 25
8-Passamaquoddy,ME April 26-27
9-Syracuse, NY May 3
10-Buffalo, NY May 8
11-Cleveland, OH May 10
12-Dayton, OH May 12
13-Detroit, MI May 14
14-Chicago, IL May 16
15-Milwaukee, WI May18
16-Oneida,WI May 23

Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

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