Incorporating Yup'ik and Cup'ik Eskimo Traditions Into Behavioral Health Treatment

Abstract

The Yup'ik and Cup'ik Eskimo of Southwest Alaska have developed programs to provide healing from historical trauma. The Village Sobriety Project, a Center for Substance Abuse Treatment-funded project administered by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation from 1999 to 2002, is an effort to incorporate the local Yup'ik and Cup'ik peoples' ways into treatment services for mental health and substance abuse. Activities such as tundra walks and time with elders are supported in treatment, and Medicaid reimbursement was successfully obtained for such activities. Documentation of treatment showed that it incorporated cultural elements of the Yup'ik and Cup'ik people.

Keywords:

• Alaska Native
• mental health
• substance abuse
• traditional healing