Healthier Community Action Team (HCAT) – Lac du Flambeau Tribal Community
The Healthier Community Action Team (HCAT) is a multi-sector coalition comprised of a broad and diverse set of community partners in the Lac du Flambeau tribe throughout Iron, Vilas, and Oneida counties in northern Wisconsin. The coalition, originally established in 2008, aims “To Build a Healthier Northwoods Community” and change the rate of alcohol abuse by engaging tribal families in a comprehensive training and support program that teaches the positive and healthy traditions inherent in the old time Ojibwe culture. This includes examining cultural perspectives as a way to promote individual, family, and community unity and using these traditional practices to bring forth a positive, healthy and peaceful way of life among families in the community.
Impact
The tribal community’s behavioral health has been threatened by alcohol and other drug abuse and historical trauma. As a group, HCAT identified factors contributing to historical trauma and how it has shaped the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual impact of substance use in the Lac du Flambeau community. This motivated the coalition to seek solutions that offer healing, recovery, and lasting relief.
The Lac du Flambeau tribe believes that to change unhealthy behaviors and self-concepts, re-parenting and re-conditioning have to involve the more holistic approach of developing the spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual self. They believe there is a basic strength in the Indian family. If there were no strength, they as Indian people would not be here.
Increase Cultural Immersion
Created Family Circles for families to meet on a regular basis with tribal facilitators, who provide education and support to promote healing through traditional cultural practices.
Sustain Inter-Agency Communication, Resource Sharing and Collaboration
Developed workgroups across organizations to enhance a systems approach to early identification, management, and treatment to support families impacted by alcohol and other drug abuse. This involved the creation and implementation of 90-day action plans for local agencies.
Implement a Substance Use Community Awareness Campaign
Increased tribal government and community member knowledge and awareness about substance use, prevention, risks and protective factors, treatment, and recovery.
Community Partners
Tribal Government
- Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council
- Tribal Council
- Tribal Child Support Department
- LDF Tribal Economic Support Department
- LDF Tribal Court
- LDF Tribal Family Services Department
- LDF Tribal Human Services Department
- LDF Tribal Natural Resources Department
- LDF Tribal Planning Department
- LDF Tribal Police Department
Education
- Lac du Flambeau Public School
- AV-W School
- Lakeland Union High School
- UW Extension
Healthcare
- Lac du Flambeau Tribe – Peter Christensen Health & Dental Clinics
- Family Resource Center
- Marshfield Clinic
Other
- Minobimaadiziiwin Coalition
- Vilas County Youth Coalition
- Menominee Nation Community Engagement Framework
Highlights/Honorings
- 7 years of programming: 24 Week Program Schedule Parent Group Curriculum
- Each session incorporates mindfulness and highlights several words or phrases to be reinforced in each session:
- When the mind is ready teachers or teachings will appear
- When the community is ready teachers and teachings will appear
- All Anishinabe (or human beings) want to be Understood and Appreciated
- Each session incorporates mindfulness and highlights several words or phrases to be reinforced in each session:
- Original Curriculum Developers: Ernie St. Germaine & Dr. Alton “Sonny” Smart still at the core of serving as a resource.
- Development of Family Circles Facilitator Training Program certified by Elders and Supported by Lac Du Flambeau Tribe
- Advancing Behavioral Health in Lac du Flambeau