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We Have a Challenge Before Us
One
of the threads that will be carried throughout Hoop Journey
2002 is Native American Al-Anon. A special focus on Native
Al-Anon will take place when the Hoop comes to Albuquerque
on July 5-6. But there will also be information and conversation
about connecting Native culture and Al-Anon at the information
tables at every Hoop Journey visit. Al-Anon is for those who
are related or close to people who have alcohol problems or
problems with other drugs. It's also for people who are close
to people who have recovered from substance abuse. In Al-Anon,
issues like codependency, Children of Alcoholic (COA) behavior,
and well families naturally come up. The following story expresses
a desire to connect Al-Anon's experience, strength and hope
with Native culture.
We
Have a Challenge Before Us
From The Forum, copyright 2002, by Al-Anon Family Group
Headquarters, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters,
Inc.
Juanita
U., New Mexico delegate, and Caryn J., World Service Office
Director of Communication, recently attended the Native American
Wellbriety Movement Conference in Rapid City, South Dakota.
With the help of local members, Al-Anon's Public Outreach
efforts included distributing literature for professionals,
presenting two sessions on how to start an Al-Anon meeting,
and chairing two Al-Anon meetings. Participants honored and
welcomed Al-Anon's message of help and hope.
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"Al-Anon
meetings are rarely available in Native American/
Indian/ Aboriginal/ First Nations communities
in the US and Canada. Why?"
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Reaching
Out to Native Communities
Al-Anon
meetings are rarely available in Native American/Indian/Aboriginal/First
Nations communities in the US and Canada. Why? During the
conference we learned that professionals in the fields of
social work, treatment, family counseling, and recovery know
little or nothing about Al-Anon, yet they know much about
Alcoholics Anonymous. Some of the professionals thought Al-Anon
was AA. Even fewer knew that Al-Anon would complement, not
compete with, the role of the professional in family recovery.
Some Elders shared a fear that Al-Anon would force them to
once again to submit to a "dominant" culture, one that they
felt had already robbed them of many of their traditions.
Their fear of going outside the family structure, as well
as outside their culture and traditions, makes it difficult
for some to step out and ask for help. They also shared that
due to the high statistics of sexual and physical abuse, hugs
between members are not only unwanted, but strongly feared.
Finally, many experienced help coming and going without stability,
so they simply don't trust that long-term help is available
for the asking.
In
a nut shell, Al-Anon members in the US and Canada have a challenge
before us in carrying our message of hope. The devastation
of the family disease of alcoholism holds no cultural barriers.
Parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and friends are
all deeply affected by this disease in our cities, rural communities,
on reservations in the US, and reserves in Canada. As individual
Al-Anon members, each of us can honestly ask ourselves, "Do
I have the desire and the ability to step beyond my own comfort
level to carry a message to the indigenous population?" If
not, why not? If yes, what am I willing to do?
Many
Native customs embody the principles of Al-Anon. The use of
a circle is sacred to indigenous people and equally meaningful
to Al-Anon members. In most Al-Anon meetings, members sit
in a circle and embrace the concept of "Whom you see here,
what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here."
Native cultures very much embrace the same principle of confidentiality.
| "In
a nut shell, Al-Anon members in the US and Canada
have a challenge before us in carrying our message
of hope." |
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The
meeting formats are also similar. After reading the Suggested
Welcome at an Al-Anon Meeting, the chairperson usually introduces
a topic, and the meeting uses one of several methods of sharing.
One method is to go from the chairperson's left or right around
the room. For an indigenous meeting this would be passing
the talking stick, feather, or stone from member to the next,
allowing each member to share until completing the circle.
Communities differ in the direction they pass the sacred item
from one person to the next, though most pass it clockwise.
The member with the talking stick is the only one who shares,
while others listen. If the chairperson calls on someone to
share, as happens at many meetings worldwide, the chair of
a Native meeting passes the talking stick or feather to the
next person--this is having Spirit or Creator (God as we understand
Him) guide who will speak next. The talking stick or feather
is the symbol of the Creator. Upon completion of their sharing,
they pass the stick on to the next person they wish to hear
speak. In another format, the chairperson introduces the topic
and waits for members to speak--this is like laying the feather
in the center of the circle and waiting for spiritual guidance
concerning who will speak next.
Most
of us in the program cherish our home group meetings, its
members, and the fellowship. The purpose of an Al-Anon meeting
defines this circle of recovery. It doesn't matter who we
are outside of meetings because we come together as equals
sharing our experience, strength and hope. In these circles
we find a Higher Power, Creator, or God who provides us with
wisdom and strength.
Suggestions
for Starting Meetings to include Native Communities
Many Native people are not intimately familiar with organized
religion. Instead of meeting in a church, perhaps a neutral
location such as a community center would attract more newcomers.
- Begin
meetings with a long moment of silence to reach that conscious
contact with a Power greater than ourselves, rather than
using a formal prayer.
- Invite
professionals in the community to attend open meetings.
If there are no open meetings, consider starting one as
a Public Outreach project.
- Offer
simply to shake hands rather than hugging.
- Ask
local AA meetings with Native participants for help. Holding
meetings at the same time will attract family members.
- Find
ways to honor spiritual paths without diverting to religious
beliefs or doctrines.
- Focus
on the similarities of living with alcoholism--obsession,
anxiety, anger, denial, and guilt.
- Ask
Native AA members, tribal offices, schools, and institutions
for assistance in reaching families by providing Al-Anon
literature.
- A
circle to the Native person often symbolizes an opportunity
for each person to share, and Al-Anon's traditional hour-long
meeting may not allow enough time.
- Of
course time and patience on the part of members to allow
for the building of trust is the most important key. Oftentimes
we may be the only Al-Anon members showing up.
- Be
sure to leave time for questions if professionals are in
attendance. Recent surveys show a professional refers 50%
of new members to Al-Anon.
Reaching
Out is a Process
The following are questions for discussion and challenges
to consider.
- Am
I willing to listen to new ideas that really aren't new?
- Can
I face conflict as a guidance system in my personal recovery?
- Do
I carry the message of Al-Alanon and Alateen to others?
- How
are my fears stopping me from personal growth and serenity?
- Am
I willing to carry Al-Anon's message to anyone, anywhere?
- Do
I put the Twelfth Step into action in my community?
| "When
anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, let the
hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and--Let
it Begin With Me." |
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As
Al-Anon moves toward another 50 years of reaching out to families
and friends, these questions provide me, as well as members
in our groups, districts and areas, with a new perspective
regarding attracting new members to our fellowship.
Having
patience in carrying our message of hope to rural communities,
reservations, and professionals will fill a huge need. We
may think we are different, but when it comes to the pain
and destruction of living with alcoholism we are all the same.
We all continue to be the same even after receiving the gift
of recovery--we are families and friends of alcoholics. Our
Al-Anon Declaration says it well:
Let
It Begin With Me
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, let the hand
of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and--Let it Begin
With Me.
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