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 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.
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.