Recovery

Khunsi Onikan Outpatient Treatment Program

(Grandmother's Arms)

Are you an American Indian woman who would like to learn more about a culturally-based, outpatient treatment program?

We offer a community where you can find safety, confidentiality, healing and support in your recovery journey.

A message from the Khunsi Onikan Lead Counselor Sharyl WhiteHawk, LADC

Healing through Culture

We believe that culture is the foundation for American Indian people in recovery. True healing comes from addressing both historical and individual trauma and our services provide support through that journey. Our recovery plans include using traditional medicine, stories, songs and cultural teachings, as well as the culturally-based Wellbriety curriculum. By relying on the foundation of the medicine wheel, no part of the recovery journey and healing process will be overlooked.

The Creation Story

The names came to me in this way: In Ojibwe, Ziibaaska’iganagooday means Jingle Dress; Niimi’idiwin means Dancing; and Nookomis Onikan means Grandmother’s Arms. In Lakota, Kunsi means Grandmother. So, the name is Ziibaaska’iganagooday Niimi’idiwin. Khunsi Onikan.

The spiritual message of this dream is that we must wrap these people and their children in those healing jingle dresses. Staff will metaphorically teach them to dance, meaning that they will find their way to health again by dancing to the music of the drum within their own hearts. The grandmothers will wrap these women and children in their arms.

We would like to thank D. Richard Wright, LADC, an Elder of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, author of The Way of Our People, for this story and his inspiring work in recovery.

Support for Your Recovery

  • Group & individual counseling sessions
  • Individualized recovery plans & case management
  • Healing and trauma-focused support from the AIFC mental health team
  • Weekly sessions for mothers and women who are parenting with Elder in Residence Nelda Goodman
  • Culturally-specific programming, including curriculum, ceremonies and recovery support
  • Transportation, lunch, childcare, and technology assistance provided

Find Out More About Khunsi Onikan

You are eligible for these services if:

  • You are an American Indian adult female
  • You reside in Ramsey or Hennepin counties
  • You are seeking treatment for substance use disorder

Begin Your Journey

Our intake staff will help you find out if you are eligible for this program.

Please call or text (651) 505-6837 to get started or use the contact info below.

Contact Us

Upcoming Recovery Services Events

December 10 @ 7:00 pm

[Virtual Event] AIFC: Khunsi Onikan – Well-Anon (Native American Al-Anon) Meeting

Open to anyone wanting to learn to have healthy boundaries and healthy relationships with the other addicts/alcoholics in their lives. Join us every Tuesday at… Read More

December 12 @ 7:00 pm

[Virtual Event] AIFC: Khunsi Onikan – Wellbriety/Medicine Wheel 12 Steps Meeting

Open to anyone wanting to work on recovery from any addiction. Every Thursday at 7 pm CST, AIFC’s Khunsi Onikan program will be sponsoring a… Read More

All Events