Seed Corn Project-Cherokee NC

I have been consulting with Carol Bradley Long of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in regard to their new Seed Corn Project. It is an exciting program that is starting and it seems to be one of the few residential models that is culturally appropriate for Native people. I am excited to watch it come together. It is a 2 hour drive from my home to meet with Carol across the Cherohala Skyway (Dragon Tail) weather permitting.

Seed Corn Family Healing Housing Program Description

The single most important unmet need of persons returning from in-patient substance abuse treatment is safe drug-free housing and recovery support services. As a result, relapse and mortality rates are high.  

Seed Corn Family Healing Housing Program is designed to not only to meet the housing needs of persons with substance abuse issues, but will also provide supportive services for immediate family members. Implementing Cherokee culture at a very early age and substance abuse prevention for the children would change the direction of our Tribe as a whole.  Families will heal together and be planted back into the community as cultural leaders and positive role models for the rest of the community.

There will be 5 distinctly different components with 20 family housing units each and 10 units for the sex offender component, yet all will be following the same cultural education curriculum. Residents are volunteers who agree to follow strict policies teaching responsibility, personal accountability, substance abuse prevention, Cherokee culture and personal health care.

MISSION STATEMENT:  To provide a family oriented community that includes safe drug-free housing; counseling, education, 7^th generation programs for participants plus recreational facilities and traditional ceremonies.

Target population:

1)    Member of a federal/state tribe and meet one other criteria;

A)    Veteran

B)   Substance abuse issues

C)   Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

D)   Sex Offender

E)    Re-Entry from Prisons

Services:

1)    Housing (Safe, drug-free)

2)    Counseling

3)    Family Oriented Community

4)    Provide 7^th Generation Program*

*Footnote:  Reference to 7^th generation programs comes from the Native American Concept what we do today affects the 7^th generation; that it takes 7 generations to create permanent changes in a tribe.