White Bison — Free Native American Addiction Recovery (Wellbriety)
White Bison is a Native American-operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating and sustaining the grassroots Wellbriety Movement — culturally-based healing for the next seven generations of Indigenous people. Founded in 1988 by Don Coyhis of the Mohican Nation and based in Colorado Springs, White Bison supports a national network of Wellbriety circles, recovery meetings, and certified treatment programs that integrate traditional Indigenous teachings with the 12 Steps of recovery.
What to Expect
Wellbriety means living a sober life that is balanced emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. White Bison’s framework uses the Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps — an adaptation that honors Indigenous spiritual beliefs and the wisdom of community Elders alongside the AA/NA-derived 12-step principles. Meetings often incorporate talking circles, drum circles, prayer, and teachings from the Sacred Hoop. White Bison’s certified treatment center network spans Indian Country, and the organization also runs national gatherings, training for Wellbriety facilitators, and a youth program (Wellbriety for Youth) for Indigenous young people in or seeking recovery.
Who This Group Is For
Wellbriety circles are designed for Indigenous people working to recover from alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors, and for family members and community members who walk alongside them. Members include people newly in recovery, people years into sobriety, and Elders supporting younger relatives. Non-Native allies are welcome at many open meetings, but the cultural center of the program is Indigenous teaching and Native leadership. Both rural and urban Native communities are part of the network.
Why Peer Support Works
Research from SAMHSA has found that Native-focused treatment programs have higher completion rates than standard ones. Wellbriety participants report stronger community support, lower relapse rates, and greater overall satisfaction — outcomes shaped by the program’s grounding in cultural identity, ceremony, and the experience of recovering in community with other Indigenous people. The Wellbriety approach treats sobriety not as an individual achievement but as a community and intergenerational healing practice.
How to Join
White Bison’s resources and meeting directory are free. Visit whitebison.org to find a Wellbriety circle, locate a certified treatment center, register for upcoming gatherings, or learn about training for facilitators in your community. Indigenous people seeking recovery can also reach the White Bison office at (719) 548-1000 for direct guidance to the closest meeting or program.