Equine Therapy Program Aims to Heal Native American Youth from Addiction Crisis
BEAVERTON, OR — On a scorching July morning, 83-year-old Dr. John Spence, a Gros Ventre tribe member and consultant for the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA NW), oversees a transformative equine therapy session. As teenage boys take turns guiding horses through obstacle courses at Forward Strides Ranch, Spence, donning cowboy attire, emphasizes the connection between horsemanship and Native culture.
Part of a 90-day residential treatment program, these teens face challenges from generational trauma, addiction, and difficult family backgrounds. Data indicates that Native Americans aged 15-34 had the highest drug-overdose death rates in 2020-2021. A study showed that youth tied to their tribal identity have lower substance abuse rates, marking culture as a preventive tool.
NARA NW’s approach integrates traditional practices within therapy, supported by a $500,000 grant from the Indian Health Service’s Community Opioid Intervention Pilot Project (COIPP). The program intertwines equine therapy with cultural teachings, fostering a bond between participants and horses while encouraging self-respect and healing.
Spence highlights that horses, integral to Native culture, are treated with kindness, reflecting broader wellness practices. "We talk about horses as our spirits and our relatives," he states. The program fosters reconnection with cultural roots, which is vital for Native youth healing.
The opioid crisis particularly affects Native American communities, with overdose rates in Oregon increasing. NARA NW’s immersive program enables youths, many court-ordered to attend, to engage in cultural practices ranging from sweat lodge rituals to traditional crafting.
Chris, a 14-year-old participant, expresses how his relationship with horses has uplifted his self-image beyond being merely an alcoholic. The program underscores the importance of cultural healing in combating the addiction epidemic among Native communities.
This article is produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and originally published on Native News Online.
Source
Photo credit oregoncapitalchronicle.com
