American Indian Advisory Council

American Indian Advisory Council

Minutes

November 1, 2006

Welcome and introductions from Keith Vielle, Co-Director, Changing Spirits.

Changing Spirits is one of six recovery programs clustered with other social services programs on the grounds of the Veterans Administration, Village at Cabrillo, in Long Beach.

· Non-profit, 501 (C) (3), County of Los Angeles, and CAIR* grant funded

· Social model, 12 Step

· For Native American men, over 18

· Approved for Court ordered treatment

· Sliding scale, “No one turned away due to lack of funding”

· 180 day program with additional 180 days paid by Los Angeles County

Cultural components make this program unique on the West Coast:

· Philosophy: love, loyalty, humility, honor.

· Sweat lodge

· Talking circle

Requirements:

· A minimum of 48 hours sobriety

· Valid Driver License or State ID, and Social Security Card

· If possible, TB test results within last 6 months

Keith shared the story of some residents who travel from New Mexico, over 150 miles by bus to enter this program. Small, isolated tribes fear leaving the reservation “won’t go across the mountain because there aren’t any Native Americans there.”

· In need of additional beds, waiting list .

· 85% of the residents are victims of childhood molestation or domestic violence, mental health problems

*CAIR – California American Indian Recovery a substance abuse treatment and recovery program funded through grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by the California Rural Indian Health Board.

· Creating options that allow people to independently select from a statewide network of Native and non-Native providers

· Providing access to recovery support services that may not otherwise be available, including transportation, child care, and traditional healing services

· Paying for substance abuse treatment and recovery services when no other sources of funding are available

Eligibility for CAIR based upon:

· Enrollment in an American Indian or Alaskan Native tribe

· California resident

· 11 years of age or older

· Have a problem with alcohol or drugs

For more information www.CRIHB..org/CAIR

Keith spoke about the close relationship Changing Spirits staff have with local community agencies. Every resident gets referred to:

· American Indian Counseling Center (LAC/DMH)

· Dept. of Rehabilitation for job training and placement

· Job Corps

Tour of the Grounds

Tony Little Hawk provided information about the Inipi (Sweat Lodges)

· There are variations in the Inipi according to tribal custom

· Participants, men and women, sit around the heated stones

· Non Native American have participated (students from local Christian College)

· The leader pours cups of water on 4 or 5 rocks that have been heated in a fire

· 4 rounds of water with prayers and ritual songs between rounds

· Tony starts with 4 cups and increases it each round and by the 4th round he pours, “as many as there are stars in the sky.”

· Participant often go into a deep, spiritual meditation or prayer state

· Medical releases are needed and participant encouraged to check with their doctor before participating

AIAC Business

AIAC members reviewed AIAC goals and discussed hosting a Networking workshop or Forum, working title “Urban American Indian Resource and Information Forum”:

· Create awareness of AIAC, community agencies and DOR

· Increase cultural awareness to improve service delivery for American Indians with disabilities

· Increase cultural awareness in the workplace

· Serve as a model for use throughout the Southern California area

· Host the Forum in November 2007 as part of American Indian Heritage Month

Jo Black, Director of the Independent Living Resources Center (Santa Barbara), member of the Statewide Independent Living Council, and newest member of the AIAC, will look into possibility of financial help through SILC for the Forum

If you’d like to help with planning, we will be meeting in January.

· Jim Warne will join us

· E-mail with date and location to be sent out in December

· Update on progress to be provided at the March 2007 AIAC meeting

Karen Iris Tucker, a writer for the Bernard Hodes Group www.hodes.com “a recruitment and advertising agency that seeks in part to help diversify our clients’ workforces through print and web campaigns. “ Karen invited AIAC community agencies to provide comment on

· “the best way to hire” Native Americans and

· “the unique challenges they face in obtaining employment and making their way in corporate America.”

· Questionnaire was given to help with the task

· The questionnaire addressed issues similar to those the AIAC members have presented at meetings

· It might be useful to us in a talking circle

· Sarah and Grace will conference call with Martha Ceja (also with Hodes) and provide information at our next meeting

Suggestion made to add a Save the Date banner/announcement to the front of web page to promote events important to Native Americans with disabilities – check with web designer

Members are encouraged to invite staff from the Native American Students and Education Assistance programs at local campuses to AIAC meetings.

Agency updates:

The Dept. of Rehabilitation is encouraging American Indians to take the State’s hiring exams for employment.

· Check the DOR web page for hiring process and job descriptions

· Handouts of the job descriptions for

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Qual. Rehab. Professional

Graduate Student

Office Assistant will be available at the next AIAC meeting:

Southern California Indian Center has opened a new office:

1225 W. 190th Street, Suite 103

Gardena. CA 90248

(310) 436-2424

United American Indian Involvement is sponsoring “Remembering Your Warriors” A cultural gathering to remember those affected by HIV/AIDS, World AIDS Day December 1, 2006, 1pm to 3pm

1125 W. 6th Street, Community Center, 1st Floor

Los Angeles, CA

(213) 202-3970

Congratulations to UAII for received the license approval as an official Health Center!

Sean Zullo, Exec. Director and Founder of Choices Recovery Services joined us to introduce CRS:

· Facilities in Long Beach, Santa Ana and Whittier.

· Accessible to those with disabilities including ASL.

· Specially trained staff for working with criminal justice

· Program for transition age youth 18-24 years

For more information: (562) 714-4088 or and www.choicesoflongbeach.com

Thank you to Changing Spirits staff for a wonderful lunch and an excellent meeting.

Next Meeting

March 14, 2007

Southern California Indian Center

Gardena office