About

The ᐁ ᐊᐤᓂᐠ ᐅᑕ ᐊᐢᑭᐠ (Returning to the Land) project is working to develop and implement a novel land-based substance use prevention intervention among at-risk Native American families living on or near Montana’s reservations.  Implementation of evidence-based interventions, designed specifically for Native American populations, that target substance misuse is urgently needed to address the growing inequities in deaths from drug overdoses, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease, collectively known as deaths of despair. These types of deaths have increased dramatically among Native American populations, from 695 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 974.7 per 100,000 people in 2020. 

The Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) framework guides the work of the program. ITEK focuses on the spiritual and cultural connections between our people and Mother Earth. It recognizes that all elements of life are in sacred relationship. The program is led by Elders—who are the holders of language, stories, and traditional knowledge—connecting with families in a supportive group setting.

Returning to the Land will launch a pilot in July 2026 to enroll a cohort of young parents and their children in up to 15 modules led by Traditional Knowledge Holders. Half of the participants will meet at a tribal youth center while the others will gather at sacred and historical locations across Rocky Boy lands. “We want to instill a sense of cultural identity and belonging, whether they live on the reservation or nearby. For those with a history of addiction, instead of shaming them we’re using land-based cultural practices to bring them in closer—to reconnect them with culture, land, Elders, and other families as a way of fostering resilience and to cope with any hardships.

For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Russette at hrusset1@jhu.edu.

 

For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Russette at russet1@jhu.edu.