From Stilettos to Moccasins: A Healing Journey

Who: Dr. Colleen Anne Dell, University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

Issue: Aboriginal women have a disproportionately high involvement in injection drug use – a key mode of HIV transmission – and are over-represented in Canada's jail and prison populations. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit women need to reclaim – and in some cases claim for the first time – a healthy sense of identity as Aboriginal people to help address their addiction.

Projects: Dr. Dell, working in partnership with Carol Hopkins, Executive Director of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, led an interdisciplinary project in which 100 women undergoing treatment for addiction and 30 treatment providers shared the experiences of their healing journeys.

Research Evidence: Analysis of the interviews, which were mainly conducted by women in long-term recovery for alcohol and drug abuse, led to the production of a YouTube video and a song called "From Stilettos to Moccasins". Building on that, the team created a half-day workshop to help women in treatment overcome stigma and draw strength from their cultural heritage.

Evidence in Action: The video has been viewed more than 21,000 times and more than 12,000 copies have been distributed. The team developed an information kit for the workshop and provided 150 copies to community agencies and treatment facilities across Canada to help hundreds – possibly thousands – of women. It is now available online at no cost.

Source: Beginning with our Voices: How the Experiential Stories of First Nations Women Contribute to a National Research Project, Journal of Aboriginal Health, 4,2 (2010)