Center for Indigenous Research, Collaboration, Learning, & Excellence (CIRCLE)
About Us
The Center for Indigenous Research, Collaboration, Learning, & Excellence (CIRCLE) at the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations is a clinical research and outreach partnership between the Healing Lodge and the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Together with members of the seven Tribal Nations that support the Healing Lodge, CIRCLE developed xaʔtu̓s (First Face) for Mental Health.
Mission
Foster sustainable health within our Indigenous communities by engaging in culturally grounded, intentional training, education, and Tribal participatory research that embraces Indigenous healing practices and revitalizes cultural connection and spiritual balance.
Vision
We envision strong, healthy Indigenous communities empowered to support one another’s overall wellness, connection, and balance of mind, heart, and spirit.
Native American Research Centers for Health
Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) awards have supported CIRCLE’s research, capacity-building, and xaʔtu̓s for Mental Health training and evaluation activities. Other CIRCLE funding has included a 2014 seed grant from the organization now known as the International Center for Responsible Gaming for Risk and Resilience among Native American Youth in the Pacific Northwest. The Healing Lodge has received three multi-year NARCH awards supporting CIRCLE’s work.
- Promoting Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities (NARCH VIII) was funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences and Indian Health Service; Grant No. GM110789-01; 2014-2019). This phase of our work included strengths and needs assessment for Tribal youth in recovery among seven Tribal nations in the northwest.
- Building Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities (NARCH X) was funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences and National Institute on Drug Abuse; Grant No. 1S06GM128015; 2018 – 2023). This phase of our work involves developing a new first-response training and intervention program called xaʔtu̓s for Mental Health.
- Assessing Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities (NARCH XII) is funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institute on Drug Abuse; Grant No. 1S06GM146095; 2022 – 2026). This phase of our work will include capacity building at the Healing Lodge, community-based evaluations of xaʔtu̓s for Mental Health, and innovative research at the Healing Lodge to support long-term recovery and help those leaving the Healing Lodge avoid a return to use.
Meet the Team
CIRCLE is a collaborative, community-guided program that brings together staff, researchers, Tribal Nations, and community partners. Our vision for this work is for CIRCLE to be a leading innovator and resource center for cooperative learning, research, and training opportunities that support healthy Indigenous communities across the United States.
CIRCLE is grateful to the many individuals representing the Seven Nations who provide advice, insight, knowledge, and guidance through their participation in the xaʔtu̓s for Mental Health working group. Their contributions help shape and strengthen our work.
Martina Whelshula, PhD
Tribal affiliation: Arrow Lakes Nation of the Colville Confederated Tribes
Principal Investigator
Sarah Nelson, PhD
Director of Research at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
Debi LaPlante, PhD
Director of the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
Raisa Jones
Tribal affiliation: Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Training and Research Coordinator at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
Minnie Bliesner
Tribal affiliation: Lummi and Umatilla
Training and Research Coordinator at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
Heather Gray, PhD
Director of Academic Affairs at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
Patty Hill
Tribal affiliation: Spokane Tribe of Indians
Training and Research Coordinator at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
Trisha Priest
Tribal affiliation: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Training and Research Coordinator at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
William Warren
Tribal affiliation: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Training and Research Coordinator at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations
