American Indian Heritage 2001 Local Heroes: Helen Waukazoo
Executive Director, Friendship House Association of American Indians
Helen Waukazoo was born and raised in the Navajo Nation near Crown Pointe, New Mexico. She recalls a wonderful childhood there, but at thirteen, she was forcibly separated from her family to attend government boarding school. This separation, heightened by the deep family values of American Indian people, gave her an early understanding of those who experience trauma. Her life has been dedicated to healing, teaching and upholding the traditional values of her people.
Ms. Waukazoo has worked providing healing and recovery services for American Indian people for over thirty years. As co-founder of The Friendship House Association of American Indians, she been instrumental in the growth of a very small organization, created to help American Indians relocate from reservations, to a fully licensed, certified and accredited alcohol and drug treatment program for American Indians. The Friendship House now offers a full continuum of care, utilizing a holistic approach. Services include prevention services for youth, residential treatment for women and men, residential treatment for women with their children, prevention and health services for women, job readiness, mental health and substance abuse counseling, clean and sober American Indian community and cultural events and leadership training.
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