The first is ‘Alcohol Problems in Native America: The Untold Story of Resistance and Recovery - the Truth about the Lie’ which is written by Native American Don Coyhis who started The Wellbriety Movement and Bill White, historian, advocate and prolific writer about addiction recovery.
I learnt so much from this book and it really is an enjoyable read. I can highly recommend you purchase a copy from the American Indian non-profit organisation White Bison.
Here is what is covered by the book.
‘This is a carefully researched history of Native American experiences as seen through the lens of the presence of alcohol in Indian communities, and more importantly, how communities resisted alcohol.
The "Firewater Myths" told about Indians and alcohol are listed and carefully contrasted with the actual facts. In a section entitled Firewater Myths and Modern Science the book states, "While the firewater myths were well timed for their moral, economic and political utility, they are not supported by either the historical or medical/scientific evidence."
Early Native American advocates for Native sobriety walk across these pages and repeat the messages they gave in their time. Some of them include Samson Occom, Mohegan; William Apes, Pequot; Handsome Lake, Seneca; brothers Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, Shawnee; Kennekuk, Kickapoo; George Copway (Kahgegagahbowh), Ojibwa; Quanah Parker, Comanche; Jack Wilson (Wovoka) and so many others.
The book moves from some of the earliest indigenous experiences in the Western hemisphere in the 1500's, all the way to the vibrant sobriety movement taking place today.
Yesterday's Native American sobriety and wellness advocates fill these pages, as well as today's. The roles of the traditional culture, the Indian shaker Church, the Native American Church, the "Indianization" of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the modern Wellbriety movement follow chapter after chapter.
A chapter on Addiction, Recovery, and the Processes of Colonization and Decolonization places historical trauma into an addictions context for the first time.
Alcohol Problems in Native America will benefit addictions counselors and treatment facilities working with Native American clients; Native Americans and others in recovery; addictions researchers and addictions recovery program providers; Tribal and Native community leaders; Native American history and Indian Studies programs; secondary, college and graduate education; high school, college and community libraries.’
Here is a great quote from the book:
‘It is time Indian people rejected alcohol, not because some Indians develop problems and alcoholism, but because alcohol is a symbol of efforts to exploit and destroy us as a people. It is time Indian People rejected alcohol because it is not part of our nature.
When you return home to your people, spread the truth about our true nature. Tell the people to cast off the lies that have been told about them. Invite them to write a new chapter in our history – a chapter not written with words, but with lives lived in Wellbriety.
We will destroy the “Drunken Indian” stereotype with every sober breath we take. We will call upon Indian nations and Indian families to detoxify themselves from the poison that was injected into their histories. We will sweat the poison from our bodies and our minds and rediscover the essence of ourselves as Indian People.'
There is so much you can learn from this book and by buying it you will be supporting the amazing Wellbriety Movement.