Let’s Talk Addiction and Recovery (Nov 2022)
By Lisa Stangl
This was originally published for Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s monthly Recovery Advocacy Update. If you’d like to receive our advocacy emails, subscribe today.
National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, language and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.
In this special month, we are happy to share two new episodes of our Recovery Equity podcast series, hosted by Hazelden Betty Ford DEI Director Andrew Williams. One features journalist Ted Alcorn whose reporting is busting baseless myths and shining light on systemic issues and inequities that perpetuate addiction within Native communities. The second features Cecelia Jayme and Sarita McGowan, PhD — two proud Native women in long-term recovery, who share their personal and professional insights into addiction and healing.
NEW “RECOVERY EQUITY” PODCASTS
What’s Perpetuating Addiction within Native Communities?
In this episode of Let’s Talk Recovery Equity, journalist Ted Alcorn talks about his investigation into alcohol use in New Mexico, which has the worst rate of alcohol-related deaths in the country. He focused on the small town of Gallup in McKinley County, which is sandwiched between the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni reservations and has long served as the local drinking spot — and is perhaps the perfect setting for busting baseless myths, shining light on systemic issues and inequities that perpetuate addiction within Native communities, and finding healing paths forward.
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Historical Trauma in Native Communities
This episode centers around health and recovery equity within Native communities, the roles of historical and generational trauma, the rates of addiction, and the good work that’s being done to provide more hope and healing. Host Andrew Williams, Hazelden Betty Ford’s DEI director, speaks with his colleagues Cecelia Jayme and Sarita McGowan, PhD. As two proud Native women in long-term recovery, Jayme and McGowan share their personal and professional insights into addiction within Indigenous communities. They discuss how it’s being addressed, and how allies and community members can partner to create change — honoring the long history of trauma and the very real impact on their community. Jayme and McGowan also find space to celebrate their cultural traditions and include others. They contemplate the harsh realities for tribes across the United States and Canada. And they declare proudly, “We are still here,” as they reflect on the profound resilience of their people.
Lisa Stangl is a director of marketing strategy for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
