Drug use and alcoholism are among rampant issues in Spirit Lake and other reservations. Helpful resources are not available on many reservations or can be a long distance away. But the Spirit Lake Wellness and Recovery Center has its doors open to help those on the road to recovery.
The center opened in Aug. 2019. The groundbreaking was attended by former ND Governor Doug Burgum and his wife Kathryn.
Kevin Dauphinais, Spirit Lake tribal health director, has made it his mission to expand the recovery center. Right now, it is on 17 acres of land and has 16 beds for those who are staying at the center. Sweat lodges are also a part of the facility. A kitchen is available as well as a recreation room with weights and cardio machines. Under Dauphinais’ watch, with nearly $1 million in funding, the center has purchased two vans from Devils Lake. These vans are used to transport people who have medical appointments.
Dauphinais also said the center is working with Dr. Nicole Adams, a professor from Purdue University’s School of Nursing in Indiana. She has made recommendations such as getting a medical doctor on staff so that social detox can be offered by the center. Social detox are short-term, nonmedical treatment service for individuals with substance use disorders.
Dauphinais came on board as the tribal health director about three years ago. Originally from Fort Totten, he was living in New Mexico for some time. One of his goals as health director is to expand the services the recovery center offers. He wants to also have a bigger facility that can accommodate more patients and have access to a medical doctor that will allow for social detoxing.
Dauphinais has his own story of sobriety. He grew up in an alcoholic family. He described himself as a “functioning alcoholic.” He then decided that he was going to change his life around. He fasted for four days and four nights.
During his fasting, Dauphinais said, “he was able to get in touch with my feelings.” Utilizing a traditional Native American custom that is used as a rite of passage, he said he was able to find his purpose.
“I realize the disease is the same whether I was functioning or not. A drug is a drug. You’re taking a stimulant to alter your state of mind to cover up some type of trauma.”
When asked why drugs and alcoholism are rampant in native communities, he said it is “usually some type of trauma.”
He pointed to “grief” as well. “You’re losing close ones and family members to murder and there are those that also go missing.”
The recovery center isn’t just there to cure people of their addictions. It’s about helping them on an emotional and spiritual quest. With the generational trauma that many Native Americans have, Dauphinais said it’s about trying to “spark our light, that fire internally, that will give them a foundation to be able to deal with their trauma.”
“We try to let them know we love them. We show love and compassion and dedication on their emotional and spiritual journey,” Dauphinais said.
The Spirit Lake Recovery and Wellness Center is located at 7527 Ephraim Hill Road, Fort Totten. Their doors are not only open to enrolled members of the Spirt Lake Tribe but all Native and Indigenous people who are seeking help for substance disorders.
