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Al-Anon for Native Americans Announced in Albuquerque
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| Don
Coyhis tells the Story of the Sacred Hoop at the
Albuquerque Indian Center on the opening day of
the Hoop Journey Visit. This composite photo gives
an idea of the whole room during the preliminary
get-together Friday afternoon and evening. The White
Bison product table is shown on the left side of
the photo. |
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If
you enjoy a gathering of people from all walks of life coming
together to share fellowship and a banquet of delicious food
as proud members of a community in Recovery and Healing, then
the Albuquerque Indian Center on Texas St. was the place to
be on Friday, July 5th 2002.
| "We
were honored and delighted to have Sam English, nationally
recognized local artist, as the Emcee! Sam is the artist
who created the Sacred Hoop Painting that has become the
symbol of the Journey." |
Putting
a New Face on Recovery... Yes! This definitely is a new
look for people and communities in Recovery. Some seventy-five
friends, family, and supporters of the Wellbriety Movement
filled the seats to see the Sacred Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers
and to learn more about White Bison and this Journey dedicated
to Healing Women and Children.
| "The
voices of the women and children sound like angels." |
As
we finished up our potluck dinner, Red Road Crossing
and Dancing Horse, our two Drums, began their warm-up
songs. The looks on everyone's faces said it all—This
is going to be a special Gathering!
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| The
"Hoop Man" and the man. Sam English shares
about the Sacred Hoop and the Wellbriety Movement
with a participant during the opening evening in
Albuquerque. Sam English is the Native artist who
created the painting that has gone on to symbolize
the Wellbriety Movement. The "Hoop Man"
was first utilized in 1999 at the start of the White
Bison Circles of Recovery Program and during the
first Hoop Journey to the Tribal Colleges in the
Spring of 1999. |
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A
Special Gathering
We were honored to have a Veteran to bring in the Flag during
the first Honor Song, followed by Mona, Adan, Cynthia, and
Karma carrying the Sacred Hoop. Martha Many Grey Horses gave
the Blessing after the Hoop was placed on the stand. We were
honored and delighted to have Sam English, nationally recognized
local artist, as the Emcee! Sam, as many of you may know,
is the artist who created the Sacred Hoop Painting that has
become the symbol of the Journey.
Don
Coyhis of White Bison shared the Story of the Sacred Hoop
and The Wellbriety Movement, followed by a viewing of the
documentary video Healing of a Nation. After the video,
there was time for comments and questions. Don also talked
about the locations where we have stopped on this Journey,
dedicated to the Healing of Native Women and Children. Then
Stacy C. relayed her personal story of healing. Her story
was met with affirming nods of agreement and understanding
from the audience. Friday evening ended with those attending
being able to choose to attend an Al-Anon Talking Circle,
an AA Meeting, or a Sweat Lodge held just outside the Center.
| "There
will be an Al-Anon Training on Oct 16, 17,18th 2002. This
will be Training for the People of the Four Directions
on The Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps and using the Native
American approach within Al-Anon for their members who
choose to participate in this aspect of the program. There
are also plans in the works for a first National Native
American / Al-Anon Conference in Albuquerque in 2003." |
Introducing
Native American Al-Anon
One hundred-fifty people attended all or part of the Gathering
on Saturday July 6th. We were honored to have the Drum Groups
return and sing many inspiring songs for us. The Dancing
Horse Drum had several women and children gathered around
them as they sang. Someone said, "The voices of the
women and children sound like angels." We couldn't
agree more. The Sacred Hoop Carriers for this morning were
Rosi Aragon, Juanita Uhl, Kate Murray, and Stella Webster.
The Staff of the Albququerque Indian Center was carried
by Patty Benalley.
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| The
Eagle Staff of the Albuquerque Indian Center looms
above the 100 Eagle Feather Hoop brought by the
Hoop Carriers to open the Gathering on Saturday,
July 6. |
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Saturday's
Opening Prayer and Songs were followed by Don Coyhis's Story
of the Hoop and the Hoop Journeys, and also some of the Teachings
that have been handed from the Elders to White Bison. This
was followed by an enlightening story of recovery by Stella
W. Stella's husband sat in the front row as she spoke,
very supportive of Stella, his family, and the Recovery Community.
Stella's
story led into a panel discussion focusing on domestic violence,
substance abuse, and Al-Anon. After lunch, Angel E. shared
her personal story of Healing and Recovery with all those
present. It was her personal story, but you could feel that
so many of us identified with her account. As family, friends,
co-workers, or community members of alcoholics or other substance
abusers, we could not only identify with the pain, but we
could also celebrate the joy of Recovery and Wellbriety.
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| Stella
W. shares her story of Family Healing and Recovery
in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque visit ushered in
the start of a Native Americans in Al-Anon focus
that will grow in the following months and years. |
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The
panel introduced the focus of the Gathering in Albuquerque:
support for Al-Anon especially for Native Americans. Afterward,
the audience erupted in applause as Don announced, "There
will be an Al-Anon Training on Oct 16, 17,18th 2002.
This will be Training for the People of the Four Directions
on The Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps and using the Native American
approach within Al-Anon for their members who choose to participate
in this aspect of the program." He also revealed,
"There are plans in the works for a first National
Native American / Al-Anon Conference in Albuquerque in 2003."
Stay in touch with White Bison for more details on both of
these landmark events.
| "Thank
you to everyone who contributed and supported the Albuquerque
Wellbriety Movement Celebration – Putting a New Face
on Recovery!" |
A
Sweet Closing
Agendas are just pieces of paper with times and dates on them.
The important thing is what really happens. That's how
we all felt about this Gathering in Albuquerque, and expressed
it in a Talking Circle lasting until after the sun slipped
down past the Sandia mountains surrounding the city. The Red
Road Crossing Drum Group stayed at the Center and patiently
waited as the healing of the Circle took it's own sweet
time. Thank you Red Road Crossing for the beautiful songs
you gave us during the Closing Ceremony!
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| Don
gifts Norman Sitting Up, coordinator of the Albuquerque
Hoop Journey Visit, with a Dreamcatcher made by
Jackie Red Woman |
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White
Bison would like to extend our appreciation to the Albuquerque
event coordinator, Norman Sitting Up. Norman was quick
to point out, "I
didn't do the real work for this event. I don't
deserve the credit. All I did was to make a few phone calls.
And then all these wonderful women cooked the food, and
did all the other ‘behind the scenes' work that
it takes to have a successful gathering. Everyone contributed,
and when I would call and ask for something they would respond
and show up." We know what you are saying Norman.
It does take a united effort to have such a successful event
in a community. Thank you to everyone who contributed and
supported the Albuquerque Wellbriety Movement Celebration—Putting
a New Face on Recovery!
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