HEALING OF THE CANOE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A CULTURALLY GROUNDED INTERVENTION TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND PROMOTE TRIBAL IDENTITY FOR NATIVE YOUTH IN TWO PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIBE

• Published in: American Indian and Alaska native mental health research Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 42 - 76
• Main Authors: Donovan, Dennis M., Thomas, Lisa Rey, Sigo, Robin Little Wing, Price, Laura, Lonczak, Heather, Lawrence, Nigel, Ahvakana, Katie, Austin, Lisette, Lawrence, Albie, Price, Joseph, Purser, Abby, Bagley, Lenora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2015
• DOI: 10.5820/aian.2201.2015.42

Using Community-Based and tribal Participatory Research (CBPR/TPR) approaches, an academic-tribal partnership between the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute and the Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes developed a culturally grounded social skills intervention to promote increased cultural belonging and prevent substance abuse among tribal youth. Participation in the intervention, which used the Canoe Journey as a metaphor for life, was associated with increased hope, optimism, and self-efficacy and with reduced substance use, as well as with higher levels of cultural identity and knowledge about alcohol and drugs among high school-age tribal youth. These results provide preliminary support for the intervention curricula in promoting positive youth development, an optimistic future orientation, and the reduction of substance use among Native youth.