MEDICINE WHEEL/12 STEPS CIRCLE OF RECOVERY CURRICULUM
The Medicine Wheel/12 Steps Circle of Recovery Sessions (Men’s and Women’s) is a 32 hour curriculum designed to be completed in 16 weeks. The 16 weeks can take between 14 to 20 weeks to be completed depending on the size of the groups. The sessions are weekly sessions that are from 1 ½ to 2 hours long. The first and second sessions are initial sign up and orientation sessions respectively. The Men’s and Women’s sessions are held separately based on the Teachings of the Elders. The curriculum consists of DVD’S that are watched by the participants in which they learn how the Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps Recovery program can be implemented into their Sobriety Walk. The weekly sessions follow the following format.
Opening Ceremony (Typically
begins with a Smudging and Prayer Ceremony)
Review of prior week’s workbook assignment
Introduction of the current weekly course (Video
Segment)
Talking Circle
Mind Mapping and Discussion OR
Examining Worksheets and Discussion
Typically there is a 15 minute break after the Video Segment so the participants can go to the restrooms, smoke or get coffee.
FATHERS OF TRADITION CURRICULUM
The Fathers of Tradition Curriculum is a three phase program consisting of 32 hours per phase. Phase 1: Native American men, age 18 and up met once a week for 16 weeks to view and discuss the 14 modules in the series, participate in the talking circle and the complete the structured curriculum. Phase 2: The men each bring a youth, age 8-17, to mentor. The youth and men go through the 16 week program again, this time with the men acting as mentors for the youth. Phase 3: A community Elders is invited to participate as a spiritual guides as the men and youth go through the program again. The emphasis is on weaving the local cultural traditions, stories and language into the curriculum.
