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Integrated Health Services

Substance use treatment and physical health services including residential treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders. Get connected today.

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Housing Services

Housing is the foundation of Native American Connections and a principle method of supporting individuals in alcohol and drug recovery, family stabilization, and community wellness. NAC has developed, owns and manages 850 units of supportive and affordable housing.

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Community Services

Native American Connections champions community development projects that strengthen the Native American Community and celebrates the rich cultural histories of indigenous peoples. NAC is a leader in community efforts to end homelessness. We advocate for affordable housing and easy access to whole-person healthcare.

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Fueling a Healthy Community

Fueling a Healthy Community

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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.

Native American Traditional Healing Practices | Traditional Native American Healing Ceremony in Phoenix AZ

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)

Native American Talking Circle Ceremony in Arizona

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 at currently closed to the public. Please check back for updates concerning public participation.

Patina Wellness Center 337 E. Virginia Avenue

Women Only Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are hosted on Mondays at 6:30 pm. 

Patina Mountain Preserve Wellness Center 1431 E. Dunlap Avenue

Men Only Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are hosted on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.

Traditional Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony Promoting Healing | Traditional Sweat Lodge

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.