Behavioral Health
Traditional Healing
Native American Connections believes that culture & spirituality are essential to healing. Native American traditional healing ceremonies are interwoven with research-based practices throughout our health programs. The smell of smoke from the fire and the sound of drumming and songs draw people to the Sweat Lodge as they prepare for the ceremony that provides purification and healing of the mind, body, and soul.
Traditional healing practices include:
- Sweat Lodge
- Smudging and purification
- Talking Circle
- Songs and drumming
- Red Road teachings
- Native art and crafts
- Storytelling
- Cultural presentations
- Positive Indian Parenting
- Circle of Strength
- Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)
Talking Circle
As in ancient circles of elders, people sit in a circle, listen deeply, and speak from the heart. The Talking Circle begins with prayer provided by the Traditional Practitioner conducting the ceremony. Participants may smudge or purify with the smoke from sacred herbs. A feather or talking stick is passed around the circle, in a sunwise direction, to each person. Holding the feather serves as an invitation and as encouragement to speak from a place of sincerity and truthfulness. The Talking Circle provides a place for healing and resolving trauma and an opportunity for each person to speak heart-truth without interruption, criticism, or judgment.
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
As with our ancestors, the Sweat Lodge is a purification ceremony. Preparations are conducted in a sacred manner by cleaning and caring for the grounds, building and tending the fire, and covering the lodge. During the ceremony, hot stones are placed in the center while the leader guides participants in prayer or song. The leader teaches about the ceremony, Native American traditions, and the uses of the hot rocks, heat, sacred herbs, and water. Representing the womb of Mother Earth, this is a sacred place to ask for healing, forgiveness, hope, vision, to give thanks, or anything else participants need during their journey of change in their lives.
Sweat Lodge Schedule
The Sweat Lodges at Patina Wellness Center and Patina Mountain Preserve are currently closed to the public with exception to the following groups:
- Residential clients
- NAC Sober Living Clients
- Active IOP clients
- Active Staff Members
- Family/Support member of residential clients (1 guest per residential client per ceremony)
- Family/Support member of staff/facilitators (1 guest per staff/facilitator per ceremony)
Patina Sweat Lodges are not co-ed however we do respect the preferences of our Two-Spirited Relatives. The Sweat Lodges have a capacity of 15; please contact the specific location in advance to reserve your space.
Patina Wellness Center | 337 E. Virginia Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602-226-4500
Women Only Sweat Lodge Ceremony - every other Monday - arrive no later than 6:00pm
Patina Mountain Preserve Wellness Center | 1431 E. Dunlap Avenue | Phoenix, AZ 85020 | 602-612-3617
Men Only Sweat Lodge Ceremony - every Tuesday - arrive no later than 6:00pm
Tips for Ceremony
- Hydration begins prior to ceremony please drink plenty of water throughout the day especially as the summer weather has begun.
- Wear loose clothing - women: long skirt is recommended
- Women who are on their Moon/Cycle are in their own natural process of cleansing; please refrain from ceremony accordingly
- Bring your own towel and water for after ceremony replenishment
- May want to remove any jewelry and keep valuables in your vehicles. NAC is not responsible for any lost or missing items.
Community Involvement
Community participants must notify staff prior to attendance by emailing culturalservices@nativeconnections.org.
When each person arrives, they must register and sign in at the front desk.