Exploring the power of culture to heal addictions

The University of Saskatchewan has been awarded nearly $1.2 million to examine the practice of traditional First Nations culture as a healing force within substance abuse programs, and develop tools to better understand and measure the impact of these cultural practices. “While there is discussion that cultural interventions have a positive impact in helping people deal with their addictions, there is little empirical data,” said researcher Colleen Anne Dell, who holds the U of S research chair in substance abuse and will co-lead the team. “By creating understanding of what practices work and how they achieve success, we hope to improve health programming for First Nations peoples struggling with addiction.” †The project entitled “Honouring Our Strengths: Indigenous Culture as Intervention in Addictions Treatment,” will receive $883,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and $300,000 from Health Canada - First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. Dell is working in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation.