Alaska Recovery and Spirit Camps: First Nations Community Development

The Spirit Camps and Recovery Camps of Alaska are two examples of community development efforts initiated, designed, and implemented by indigenous people to address the threat to subsistence lifestyle and self-determination in this region. They are based on a respect for and affirmation of traditional identities and values of First Nations people. An “experiential counseling” community healing paradigm is proposed for use in these camps which engages all participants in shared human experience within the naturally-healing setting of nature.