A Collaborative Connection Between Tribal Prevention Programs and ORN

Overdose rates among Indigenous youth in Montana are a significant concern, reflecting broader national trends. Montana has increasing rates of overdose deaths, particularly involving opioids and psychostimulants (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, 2023). The issue is compounded by several factors such as limited access to health care, including substance use treatment, and the unique social challenges faced by Indigenous communities (CDC, 2024). Efforts to address these challenges include specific programs and funding directed toward tribal communities for overdose prevention, data surveillance, and harm reduction strategies (CDC, 2024).

The Rocky Boy Health Center (RBHC) on the Rocky Boy Reservation in north-central Montana is making efforts to combat this crisis in their community. Two members of the RBHC staff—Director of Strategic Development Melody Henry and Native Connection Coordinator Mary Big Bow—submitted a request to the Opioid Response Network (ORN) for harm reduction training around substance use disorder (SUD), the impact of SUD on Indigenous communities, healthy relationships, safer-sex and sex trafficking. Once the request was received by the ORN, Terrance Lafromboise, TTS for the Indigenous Communities Response Team (ICRT), and the regional ORN team, connected the health center with ORN consultant, Jerria Martin, the executive director of Drug Free Communities. Martin and Lafromboise traveled to the Rocky Boy Reservation and facilitated a two-day youth conference.

The event took place in two schools on the Rocky Boy Reservation, where they engaged students from 8th to 12th grade. The format consisted of small group sessions that were held during each class period; this allowed trainers to connect more personally with the youth, facilitating trust and fostering deeper discussions and active participation.

The consultant’s abilities to connect with the youth was evident in the positive feedback from both students and staff. Participants highlighted the need for hope and protective factors within the community, emphasizing the importance of exposing youth to opportunities beyond the reservation. Upon completion, Mary Big Bow suggested a debriefing session to reflect on the event’s success, and plan for future collaborations. The following reflects conversation from that session:

“What I found was the same thing missing in Alabama is the same thing missing here, ‘HOPE.’ Thus, I look forward to continuing dealing “HOPE” to the young people of Rocky Boy Reservation.” – Jerria Martin, ORN Consultant

“Terrance, I loved your song (Round Dance) before you left. I was dancing with my granddaughter. It was an exciting event, especially seeing all the greatly talented people coming together to do what it takes for our youth. Jerria Martin was one of the favorites of the groups in Rocky Boy. She was dynamic and wowed them.” – Mary Big Bow, Rocky Boy Native Connections Grant Coordinator

“We believe the event was a huge success and we are sure appreciative of the ORN’s support and the trainers they brought us.” – Melody Henry, Rocky Boy Director of Strategic Development

About ORN’s Indigenous Community Response Team 

ORN is committed to integrating health equity across the substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery continuum. The Indigenous Communities Response Team (ICRT) works with Tribal Opioid Response grantees, tribal, urban Indian communities, and takes requests from other Indigenous related groups to address opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders by providing educational resources and training opportunities that are locally meaningful, culturally relevant and considerate of the strengths and traumas that affect wellness in Native communities. With the use of culturally responsive outreach, tailored engagement and collaboration, ORN’s ICRT prioritizes the needs of Native communities. The ICRT is made up of Regional Technology Transfer Specialists with significant experience working with and within Indigenous communities.