Hopi Recovery Center Sees ‘Miracles of Change’ Through Culture-Based Healing

The HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center reports great success with clients who are successfully reintegrated as members of the community. Manager Bryan Humetewa says he has had the joy of seeing clients return to their homes, keep jobs and witness “the miracle” of being back with their children.

“Collaboration with the community is important, especially with limited resources,” he said.

The center partners with First Mesa Elementary School, Hopi Junior Senior High School, Hopi Court and the Navajo Department of Corrections in Tuba City. For those who need a higher level of care, they can be referred to Hopi Behavioral Health, Native Americans for Community Action, Sonora Prevention Works in the Phoenix area or Scottsdale Recovery Center.

Humetewa said the staff is committed to helping clients who have used illegal drugs and alcohol. “It depends on what the individual needs,” he said.

Of the 79 clients served last year, only five individuals were referred to higher levels of service. Humetewa says most of her clients come to her as part of her aftercare program.

Hopi Behavioral Health assesses the clients. “We use our lived experiences to deliver evidence-based curriculum, using our learning and values,” he said.

Customers are influenced by where they grew up and their environment, says Humetewa. Generational disconnection has been a problem, he reports. Many individuals have problems living in the two worlds: One of their homeland and the other the Western European way of life.

“We use language and culture to reintroduce the values ​​and learning. They must first figure out where they are disconnected and then reconnect with their culture. They must first be right with themselves before they can come into contact with a higher power.”

HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center offers a 12-step program. Also beneficial, he says, are community wellness programs. Humetewa says clients return to their communities to help and mentor others. Many have returned to education and earned degrees.

Humetewa has had his own ordeal but recently celebrated 21 years of recovery. He graduated from an Indian recovery program in 2004. He says he learned that sobriety and recovery are two different things: Sobriety is sober, and recovery is doing the work it takes to be well, physically, mentally and psychologically.

Humetewa said finding transitional housing for those in recovery, especially on Hopi where housing is limited, can be a challenge. This is where peer support becomes crucial. “I'm working on this, but it's not easy.”

Humetewa said it is always encouraging to come home to help your people, but when people come home, they find few jobs or resources to help them. Nevertheless, Humetewa has seen many successes. “I enjoy seeing the miracles of change and seeing people when they start to see well,” he said. “They share their stories of recovery. They work to get well.”

The HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center is part of the Hopi Foundation and funded by grants. It also serves clients from the Navajo Nation. Humetewa praises his staff and mentors Cordell Sakeva and Kristie Kewenvoyouma for the work they do.

The HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center provides day-to-day support in recovery through programs, satellite locations and on-call services. It also promotes collaborative work that strengthens individuals, families and cultural values. FBN

By Stan Bindell, FBN

Thanks to photo: Bryan Humetewa, manager of the HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center, seen here at Walnut Canyon, says reconnecting clients with culture, language and community values ​​plays a critical role in long-term recovery.