1. Horse as Healer: Applying Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to Uncover and Strengthen the Spirit of First Nations Youth Who Abuse Solvents Darlene Chalmers, University of Regina Colleen Anne Dell, University of Saskatchewan Debra Dell, Youth Solvent Addiction Committee Tamara MacKinnon, Cartier Equine Learning Centre Ernie Sauve, Executive Director, White Buffalo Youth Inhalant Treatment Centre Funded through a grant from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health provided to the University of Saskatchewan, Research Chair in Substance Abuse

2. VSA The deliberate inhalation of fumes or vapours given off from a substance for its intoxicating and mind-altering effect. 8 VSA specific treatment centres have been built, starting in 1996 (under NNADAP). The Youth Solvent Addiction Committee (YSAC) was formed to help develop and support a culture-informed approach to treatment.

3. Resiliency YSAC proposed a culture-based model of resiliency = focus on the individual (inner spirit) & community. “…a balance between the ability to cope with stress and adversity and the availability of community support” (Dell, Hopkins, Dell 2005:5). This holistic concept of resiliency is suggested to “assist youth in uncovering their inner spirit [and] strengthen their spirit by drawing on available community resources” (Dell, Hopkins, Dell 2005:5).

4. Today’s Focus Using EAL as an example, illustrate the holistic concept of resiliency through the intersecting perspectives of White Buffalo Youth Inhalant Treatment Centre, Cartier Equine Learning Center, Elders’ stories & the research literature. EAL EAL focuses on learning through hands-on experiences in structured, facilitated sessions. Cartier defines EAL as “…an effective approach to human development through horsemanship” (MacKinnon 2007:1).

5. Process Meetings with staff and Elders from White Buffalo to learn about the treatment program and the cultural relevance of the horse and EAL to the program. Visits to the Cartier Equine Learning Center to observe and participate in the program with the girls. Review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature.

6. 1. Individual/ Inner Spirit White Buffalo: program aims to nurture/renew the inner-spirit of youth. In addition to counsellors and Elders, EAL provides youth with a sense of connection to a nun-human and culturally revered life form to assist in reviving their spirit. Cartier: through the EAL program the horse is a means to connect with the spirit of an individual in an unencumbered way. The horse is an extremely intuitive animal.

7. Elder’s Story: it is believed by some First Nations that all animals have a spirit whose purpose is to guide and help individuals. This is especially true of the horse and its intuitive abilities. Literature: horses are identified as being non- judgemental and therefore a potentially useful medium to enhance self-esteem and promote the expression of feelings. Researchers (e.g., Rothe et al.) have identified the horse as being able to assist youth with exploring “feelings, powers of intuition and energy, understandings of self, nature, relationships and communication” (375).

8. 2. Community White Buffalo: a youth’s healing path is supported by the program’s focus on making connections to one’s self as well as the universal family of creation. Youth drawing on community supports to strengthen their resilience is central to the Creation story. Cartier: the EAL program focuses on mutual trust and respect, including the value of relationships. The horse is a ‘safe’ starting point for learning trust (e.g., brushing the horse).

9. Elder’s Story: the Elder shared a story about how an ill horse returned home from pasture to be cared for. Similarly, the youth are ‘coming home’ to White Buffalo and learning to trust this supportive community. Literature: research supports that opportunities to interact with animals provide a starting point to begin to explore and develop trust and social interaction with another living being (Latella, 2003). Specifically, research with horseback riding programs has found increased community involvement among participants (Iannone, 2003).

10. Next step White Buffalo is considering how an EAL program may contribute to community building beyond its residential treatment centre into the surrounding Sturgeon Lake First Nation. Having the program directed and owned by the Sturgeon Lake First Nation would support self governance and could be a viable means of improving social, political and economic well- being. References Dell, C., Hopkins, C. and Dell, D. (2005). “Resiliency and holistic inhalant abuse treatment”. Journal of Aboriginal Health. pp. 4-12; Iannone, V. (2003). Evaluation of a vocational and therapeutic riding program for severely emotionally disturbed adolescents. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. The Catholic University of America, Washington; Latella, D. (2003). Animals as a therapeutic modality: A curriculum model for occupational therapy. Connecticut, University of Bridgeport; MacKinnon, T. (2007). At the Heart of Equine-Assisted Learning. Saskatchewan: M.E.S. Ltd; Rothe, E., Vega, B., Torres, R., Soler, S., Pazos, R. (2005). From kids and horses: Equine facilitated psychotherapy for children. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 5(2), 373-383.