Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June 2025

4

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Building strong, resilient families

Program supports
positive parenting

By Kelli Smith, MA, LMHCA
For generations, Native families SPIPA Healthy Families Program
have nurtured children and Presents:
families with wisdom rooted in
tradition, community and respect
for all life.
Today, those same values are
being taught through the Positive
Indian Parenting (PIP) program
— a culturally grounded training
1/22/2020-Traditional Parenting
that helps parents build stronger,
healthier relationships with their
children while supporting their 1/29/2020-Lessons of the Storyteller
own mental wellness. 2/5/2020-Lessons of the Cradleboard
Developed by the National
2/12/2020-Harmony in Child Rearing
Indian Child Welfare Association
(NICWA), PIP is a curriculum
that blends traditional Indigenous 2/19/2020-Traditional Behavior Management
parenting philosophies with 2/26/2020-Lessons of Mother Nature
contemporary tools for emotional
support and family resilience. 3/4/2020-Praise in Traditional Parenting

What is Positive Indian 3/11/2020-Choices in Parenting
Parenting?
The program offers an eight- Classes will be held
@Community Center in the
session training that includes reconnection. benefit, too, by building in time
aspects of: Here are ways Native parents for rest, prayer or quiet reflection. RESOURCES
n Traditional parenting roles can support both their mental 6. Engage in programs such
Gathering Room
and values health and parenting journey: as PIP: Whether in-person or
n Storytelling as teaching 1. Reconnect with culture: virtual, PIP offers a welcoming Stay tuned for a new Positive
5:00-7:00pm
n Discipline without violence Participate in community events. space to learn, share and heal Indian Parenting group. This
n Spirituality and child Cultural identity strengthens alongside other Native parents. is one of the exciting services
*For More Information Contact:
guidance mental resilience and models we will offer after moving into
n Balance and harmony in the pride for children. Collective strength the new Behavioral Health
2. Seek support: Talking
Beth Klatush Office: 360-709-1627 Email: bklatush@chehalistribe.org
family with an elder, counselor Programs like PIP building.
It invites parents and caregivers
to reflect on their own experiences or parenting group are more than just Contact Chehalis Tribe
educational tools. They
Behavioral Health at 360-
and learn new ways to nurture can ease emotional affirm that Native 709-1733 or nicwa.org.
their children through cultural burdens. Many tribal parenting practices,
teachings, emotional awareness clinics offer culturally grounded in
and respect-based guidance. sensitive therapy. You tradition, community
are never alone on parent-child relationships.
and compassion
This work goes beyond
Parenting and mental health this journey! remain not only individual families. It contributes
3. Practice self-
Raising children can be compassion: Parenting relevant but essential. to community-wide healing.
Recently, two mental
Strengthening family bonds helps
stressful, especially when NOTICE: Information displayed on our website calendar or in email is subject to change without notice. Please
isn’t about perfection. There
parents are also coping with is no handbook for raising our health counselors from the break cycles of intergenerational
refer to the flyer's contact person for the latest update.
personal challenges, trauma or children. Give yourself grace. Behavioral Health Department trauma, fosters cultural pride and
intergenerational grief. It’s about showing up with love, completed PIP training, promotes emotional stability.
Many Native families today patience and a willingness to grow. deepening their understanding As parents feel more supported
still feel the effects of historical 4. Use storytelling: Children of culturally rooted parenting and empowered, children grow up
trauma, including forced often learn best through stories. methods. with a stronger sense of identity
assimilation, boarding schools and Sharing family memories By reconnecting with and security.
systemic injustice. This can impact or spiritual teachings builds traditional teachings and Together, these outcomes lay a
both mental health and parenting connection and teaches values. community-based approaches, foundation for improved mental
confidence. 5. Create routine and these counselors are now better health across the community
PIP directly addresses this by balance: Daily routines help equipped to support Native and a renewed sense of cultural
offering healing through cultural children feel secure. Parents can families in nurturing healthy continuity and collective strength.