Advancing Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities
Funded at Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations · NIH-11366297 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tribal youth addiction-recovery program is partnering with researchers to strengthen culturally grounded support and mental health services for American Indian youth in recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spokane Valley, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,087,267 |
| NIH project number | 1S06GM164729-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366297 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents and youths in recovery or at risk of substance use disorders within participating tribal communities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the participating tribes or those not engaged in recovery services may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project partners with seven Tribal nations to strengthen youth recovery efforts through a culturally grounded approach. It builds on decades of collaboration to implement and evaluate a mental health first response system rooted in Indigenous values. The study will involve community input, staff training, and collaboration with clinical researchers to understand how to improve recovery outcomes in real-world tribal settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, communities could see stronger youth recovery supports and better integration of cultural practices into mental health care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous collaborations show promise in culturally aligned recovery approaches, with ongoing work to translate findings into practice.
Where this research is happening
-
Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
Spokane Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whelshula, Martina — Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
- Study coordinator: Whelshula, Martina
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.