Don Coyhis

On the Hoop journeys Coyhis recruited people recovering from alcohol dependence to act as "firestarters," leaders of Native American recovery and support groups.[3] Firestarters may choose to lead recovery groups for men, women, Al-Anon (support for friends and relatives of alcoholics), addictions prevention and wellness for Native American boys ages 13 to 17 or for Native American girls ages 8 to 17, support for family healing, or for children of alcoholics.[9]

The term "wellbriety" is derived from a Passamaquoddy word that means to be both sober and well.[10] According to Coyhis, "It means going beyond survival to thrive in one’s own life and in the life of the community. It means living by the laws and values of traditional Native American culture."[1] Coyhis believes that it is not enough to put an individual into rehab or a recovery group to treat alcohol or drug dependence:

"We must actively heal the community and its institutions at the same time an individual works on his or her own healing from alcohol or drugs or other unwell behaviors. The individual affects the community and the community affects the individual. They are inseparable from the point of view of addiction recovery. Everything must be in the healing process simultaneously."[1]

Coyhis also feels that historical and intergenerational trauma are responsible for much of the substance use seen among Native Americans.[11] He argues that restoring cultural identity by returning to the principles, laws, and values of traditional Native culture promotes healing mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Coyhis acknowledges that each individual needs to work hard to overcome drug and alcohol dependence, but cautions that a healthy sociocultural environment makes the healing process less painful and more likely to succeed.[10][12] He frames this concept in terms of the "healing forest," wherein a sick tree can only recover if the rest of the forest is healthy. This holistic approach represents a conceptual breakthrough by emphasizing the role of the community in recovery.[13]

Coyhis studied the underlying causes of alcoholism, then decided to expand White Bison's mission to include drug addiction, dysfunctional families and relationships, as well as suicide.[14][15] Coyhis’ model, known as the "Medicine Wheel 12-Step," uses a twelve-step program similar to that used by Alcoholics Anonymous,[16] but it also incorporates cultural elements, including a medicine wheel, group drum circles, songs, healing ceremonies, the teachings of elders, and it does not use the AA model of anonymity.[17] In 2005 Coyhis launched Warrior Down, a program that supports re-entry for Native Americans using a multi-faceted and traditional approach. Through a supportive team of peer support specialists, the program provides resources, programming, recovery support, recidivism prevention, and community referrals for those re-entering the community from treatment or from various forms of incarceration.[18][19]

In 2001 Coyhis met addiction specialist William L. White[3] and they began collaborating on two books: The Red Road to Wellbriety in the Native American Way, and Alcohol Problems in Native America: The Untold Story of Resistance and Recovery, both of which were published by Coyhis Publishing & Consulting, Inc. in 2006.[20][21] The Red Road lays out Coyhis' philosophy for a culturally-appropriate treatment paradigm (referred to as the red road) for Native Americans and their families who are affected by substance abuse. Alcohol Problems in Native America examines the history of alcohol and Native Americans, including Native American temperance activists, and analyzes the successes and failures of addiction treatment programs run for and by Native Americans.[22]

In 2009 Coyhis received the Purpose Prize from the John Templeton Foundation with a monetary award of $100,000.[4] The award allowed Coyhis to establish a Wellbriety Training Institute[17] with the aim of bringing Wellbriety programs to all of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States.[4]

Coyhis is on the faculty of the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative.[23] He has eight adult children, several of whom are themselves recovering from alcohol dependence.[1]