FWW addresses traumatic experiences as the root cause of family violence and builds on cultural strengths. Trauma survivors often develop behaviors that disrupt family life and affect the next generation; FWW heals this trauma to prevent its transmission. FWW’s evidence-based intervention for complex trauma differs because it is Alaska Native created and led, is culturally and spirituality rooted, and uses peer leaders and modeling rather than clinical hierarchy.
FWW offers a number of different training programs designed to heal trauma and support those impacted by violence. These trainings include Arrigah House, a culturally-connected training intensive that explores the impact of our stories, including adverse childhood experiences and intergenerational trauma; Soldier’s Heart, a peer led training intensive designed by and for those with service-related trauma to process the effects of post-traumatic stress and gain tools for healthy living; and Advanced Leadership Education and Training (ALET), a workshop which trains peer participants to become learning circle facilitators for various training intensives including Arrigah House and Soldier’s Heart Training.
Participants in FWW trainings work in groups to understand their story, the root causes of abuse, and how to stop the cycle. Participants return home after their trainings, many to rural villages off the road system, with skills to create new norms and support the families and communities in which they live.
FWW’s trainings emphasize how healing from the pain and shame of trauma leads to transformative healing; building self-esteem, improving family relationships, making positive life changes, and helping others. Participants gain insights into how past harm, anger, and fear play into their interactions with others, and how the next generation’s behaviors and choices often mirror what they have seen and heard. To help participants in healing, FWW has designed its training and education programs based on the strengths of Alaska Native culture, including:
- Sharing story. This replicates Alaska Native oral traditions and involves exploring trauma one has experienced in order to heal and develop a more positive sense of self.
- Listening and responding. This reflects Alaska Native traditions of respectful words, and empowers participants to create a safe environment to help in healing each other.
- Facilitator preparation. This comes from the Alaska Native tradition of sharing what you learn and learning by doing, and involves presenters and Learning Circle leaders (who have completed FWWI trainings and are often themselves people who have experienced trauma) model the sharing of story and demonstrate listening and responding as full participants.
- Building healthy relationships. This is key to the healing process and draws on Alaska Native traditions of collaborative activities such as harvesting, food preparation, or dancing.
FWW has found through its trainings that healing from trauma works in stages. First, participants work to heal and understand themselves by sharing their stories. This healing leads to increased self-esteem and self-efficacy, which in turn helps participants build healthy relationships. Finally, they become able to support others, and are able to use their own experiences to support the healing of others.
