Our Healing Journey: Medicine Wheel healing for opioid recovery
Official title: Our Healing Journey: A Cultural and Traditional Response to the Opioid Epidemic
Funded at Eastern Shoshone Tribe · NIH-11375713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will build tribal-led programs that use Medicine Wheel teachings alongside clinical care to help American Indian and Alaska Native adults reduce harms from opioid and methamphetamine use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Eastern Shoshone Tribe NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Washakie, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $341,034 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2DA061082-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are American Indian or Alaska Native adults (21+) from the Eastern Shoshone community or nearby who are affected by opioid or methamphetamine use and want culturally based care.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not tribal members or local residents, those under 21, or those needing immediate inpatient medical care may not gain direct benefit from this local outpatient program.
What this research studies
The team will strengthen local treatment by combining traditional Medicine Wheel practices with proven clinical approaches in the tribal outpatient clinic. Staff will be trained in culturally grounded care, community outreach and naloxone distribution will be expanded, and local data collection methods will be set up to guide improvements. Activities are led by the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and will take place on and around the reservation. The aim is to make care more accessible, culturally familiar, and effective for adults dealing with opioid or methamphetamine problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce overdoses, increase access to treatment, and provide culturally relevant support for tribal members.
How similar studies have gone: Community-led, culturally tailored programs for Indigenous peoples have shown promise in improving engagement and reducing harms, though large controlled trials are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Eastern Shoshone Tribe
Fort Washakie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webb, Kellie — Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Study coordinator: Webb, Kellie
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.