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The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations came
into existence through the vision and foresight of tribal leaders
from the Spokane, Kalispel, and Colville Confederated Tribes of
Washington, the Nez Perce, Kootenai, and Coeur d'Alene Tribes of
Idaho, and the Confederated Umatilla Tribes of Oregon. The
identified need addressed the concern of sending "our children" to
far away places for help. A central site was selected (Spokane), and
the agency was created through Public Law 638. Business was
conducted from a place on the South Hill of Spokane. As services
progressed and more patients received treatment, a larger facility
was needed. The agency eventually moved to a larger building on
Kalispel Street near North Central High School in Spokane. For a few
years, the site provided a facility that met the needs of those
served , however, it eventually became obsolete. The agency had, by
this time, evolved to a point where the true vision of the original
creators could finally be achieved. The decision to move to another
setting was not enough. It was time to construct a facility that
would provided a setting that the residents could think of as "home"
while receiving treatment services. This dream facility, on 8th
Avenue, opened in 1996.
During the time when the agency came into
existence, the focus was to establish a business that provided
alcohol and drug treatment for youth. Policies, procedures,
protocols, staffing, training, program development, etc., had to be
established. This was achieved through a series of processes taking
place, in some cases, very quickly, and conversely, over a period of
years in other cases.
The Healing Lodge did not pursue or engage in any
type of serious planning prior to 1998. Funding was available to
meet most of the agency's needs and the business of treatment was
facilitated. After moving into the current facility in 1996, it
became apparent that I.H.S. alone could not fund an expansion of
services including culture, mental health, and family services
desired by the Board and Staff. The truth of this statement was
realized in 1999. In May of 1999, the Board of Directors, Healing
Lodge staff, and Healing Lodge residents participated in a planning
process which generated a strategic plan — a blueprint or map — that
provided directions for the agency for a three year period. Much of
the goal setting in the original document was put into actions over
the course of the first year, after ratification by the Board of
Directors.
Since 1999, sound fiscal planning and spending
has provided a comfortable cushion of funds. However, fiscal trends
and reports from funding sources and the economy point to a possible
shortfall of funding in the future. It is important to review and
evaluate the actions that have taken place and refine the goals that
currently exist. Late in 2001, the Board of Directors addressed the
need to revisit the strategic plan and refine it. Arrangements were
made with JoAnn Kauffman of Kauffman and Associates, Inc. (KAI) to
engage in a planning process for The Healing Lodge. The event took
place in May 2002. Invitations were extended to Board members,
tribal council members, tribal program staff, Healing Lodge staff
and administration. Approximately 70 people participated. The
process was initiated over a two-day period. The process was very
dynamic, yielding information through an intensive participatory
process.
Mission Statement
The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations is
dedicated to helping Native American youth and their families heal
from the trauma of alcohol and drug abuse. Treatment planning
emphasizes building on the strength of youth, family and community
to ensure a strong basis of support as the youth journeys toward a
life free of abuse and addiction. A variety of treatment strategies
will be employed allowing for the uniqueness of each person and
their need to make fundamental choices concerning their future path.
The Seven Nations
Seven tribes east of the Cascade Mountains govern
The Healing Lodge: The Colville Confederated Tribes, The Kalispel
Tribe of Indians, and The Spokane Tribe of Indians from Washington;
The Nez Perce Tribe, The Kootenai Tribe, and The Coeur d'Alene Tribe
from Idaho; and The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation
in Oregon. We are primarily funded through Indian Health Services (I.H.S.),
as well as the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance
Abuse (DASA), as well as private insurance. We also have two
three-year grants from SAMHSA/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
for mental health and aftercare, and from the Office of Juvenile
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for working with consortium tribal
justice programs. |
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