Wellbriety Movement

The Wellbriety Movement is a Native American-led healing initiative that blends traditional Indigenous values and practices with modern recovery methods—often including 12-Step principles—to help people and communities heal from addiction, trauma, and historical oppression. 

www.wellbrietymovement.com 

Alcohol and Drugs   

Theistic (Native American)

The Wellbriety Movement was founded by White Bison, Inc., a Colorado-based nonprofit started in 1988 by Don Coyhis. The term “Wellbriety” combines wellness and sobriety—the idea that recovery isn’t just about stopping alcohol or drug use, but about restoring balance in mind, body, spirit, and community.

The program emerged as a response to high rates of addiction in Native communities, recognizing that effective healing must address both individual struggles and generational trauma. Ceremonies such as sweat lodges, talking circles, and naming ceremonies are guided by elders and traditional teachers, ensuring cultural accuracy and respect. The Wellbriety Movement holds that sobriety alone is not enough — you need to reconnect to cultural identity and spiritual purpose to stay well.

Wellbriety programs operate in tribal communities, urban Native centers, and even prisons across the U.S. and Canada. It’s respected both in Native and non-Native recovery circles for its holistic, culturally grounded approach. The movement has also published books and training manuals, and it runs an annual conference bringing together healers, recovery advocates, and community leaders.

Wellbriety Reflections: Healing and Wellness through Native Culture and the 12 Steps by Don Coyhis 

East: Finding the Creator

1. Honesty – We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and had lost control of    our lives.

2. Hope – We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could help us regain control.

3. Faith – We made a decision to ask for help from a Higher Power and others who understand.

South: Finding Ourselves

4. Courage – We stopped and considered our strengths and weaknesses.

5. Integrity – We admitted to the Great Spirit, to ourselves, and to another person the things we thought were wrong about ourselves.

6. Willingness – We were ready, with the help of the Great Spirit, to change.

West: Finding Our Relatives

7. Humility – We humbly asked a Higher Power and our friends to help us change.

8. Forgiveness – We made a list of people harmed by our drinking and wanted to make up for it.

9. Justice – We make amends to those people whenever possible, except when doing so would cause more harm.

North: Finding the Elders’ Wisdom

10. Perseverance – We continue to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses, and when we’re wrong, we admit it.

11. Spiritual Awareness – We pray and reflect, seeking only the strength to do what is right.

12. Service – We try to help other people with addictions and practice these principles in everything we do.

Recovery is most effective when tied to Indigenous traditions, languages, and ceremonies.

Healing the whole community is as important as healing individuals.

Helps people coming out of treatment, jail, or military service maintain recovery.

Youth prevention and cultural education programs.

In-person: www.whitebison.org/circle-meetings/

Online: www.whitebison.org/wellbriety-meeting-flyers/