Healing Through The Gift of Story: Addressing Domestic Violence Through Cultural Strengths
By Southcentral Foundation Family Wellness Warriors and Corporate Communications
Domestic violence often affects physical, emotional, and financial aspects of life. While immediate intervention is crucial in most cases, long-term, culturally sensitive healing is equally important.
Southcentral Foundation’s trauma-informed care model addresses domestic violence by recognizing the deep trauma and complexities within families, offering a path to recovery through story sharing and cultural values.
“There is a delicate balance within domestic violence, where love and loyalty exist even though it’s unhealthy and unsafe,” Alaska CARES (Child Abuse Response Evaluation Services) Family Advocate Eladia Howe said.
SCF understands that by creating a safe space for sharing and receiving stories, healing can begin.
“We strive to give customer-owners a place where they feel safe to share what they are ready to. It’s a gift for us to receive their story, and it’s about being there to help them take the next step,” Howe shared.
It is essential to approach individuals living in domestic violence situations with empathy and understanding, providing a supportive environment for them to share their experience.
“People used to ask why I didn’t leave. Later, they asked what took so long. These are the wrong questions. What helps is a listening ear, a kind word, and no judgment,” Bobbi Outten, Family Wellness Warriors director and domestic violence survivor, reflected on the importance of this support.
Through culturally relevant, evidence-based programs such as Arrigah House, Cultural Humility, and Soldier’s Heart, FWW works to heal trauma by assisting individuals with understanding and sharing stories. Rooted in Alaska Native traditions, FWW emphasizes building healthy relationships and offering peer support to prevent trauma from passing to the next generation.
SCF also offers cultural practices through the Traditional Healing Clinic, which provides services such as healing touch, talking circles, and many cultural classes. These spaces encourage storytelling and connection, fostering healing in ways aligned with Alaska Native values like respect for Elders, self, and community.
SCF’s domestic violence resources extend beyond clinical care to encompass the emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs of customer-owners. This holistic approach acknowledges that healing from trauma requires addressing the root causes through both modern interventions and traditional practices.
Customer-owners are invited to learn and practice healthy relationship skills by attending Wooch.een: Healthy Relationships, a learning circle hosted by FWW. These learning circles are offered virtually and in person Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center.
If you are experiencing domestic violence and need immediate help, please reach out to local or national resources such as the 24-hour Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis hotline at (907) 272-0100, Standing Together Against Rape at (907) 276-7279, or StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1 (844) 7NATIVE (762-8483).
