Testimonials
“…It’s basic, our own people understand the shared trauma of oppression, so it makes sense that Native therapists spend time with Native children/ people... We can’t expect the dominant society to understand our trauma, we need to heal ourselves… Our strength is in our ability to heal, helping each other do that removes fear of that process.”
— Madonna Thunder Hawk, Oohenumpa Lakota / Ihanktowan Dakota Elder & Activist
Madonna Thunder Hawk on working in collaboration with therapist Colter Combellick on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation. Mr. Combellick served as the Clinical Director for a small non-profit called Simply Smiles, Inc. when working with Ms. Thunder Hawk. This was done to create a first of its kind foster care agency to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act for Indigenous youth.
“I worked with Colt as a professional foster care parent in an Indigenous community. I felt self-assured in his abilities to provide therapy for children in my care that was culturally responsive because of his specialities in treating intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous communities. His use of solution- focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy rooted in the Circle of Courage and Love and Logic was the holistic approach that my children needed. Colt provides therapy through Lakota virtues and traditions that have objectively benefited my children.”
-MarShondria Adams
Professional Foster Care Parent