Traditional Counselor Recognition
DEFINITION
Individuals who are a Native Alaskan and / or who have been
raised with traditional native values and who lived in harmony
with these values, who have long years of voluntary service
earning them the recognition of their people as a source of
traditional knowledge and wisdom and as a positive force in
resolving community substance abuse issues.
GUIDELINES
Persons nominated for recognition as Traditional Counselors shall
be reviewed with respect to the following guidelines:
- Caring and empathetic individuals
- Active members of village organizations which deal with
substance abuse problems
- Identified as village and regional resource people
- Credible and respected in their culture
- Seen as positive role models
- Aftercare resources to rural Alaska programs
- Outreach and prevention workers in their community
- Able to influence other’s behavior through traditional methods
and values
- Effective Speakers
PROCESS
Persons interested in nominating an individual from their
community or region must:
- Submit an Application Form
(download in MS Word or Adobe PDF)
- Submit application with three (3) letters of recommendation
which provide, in narration form, a detailed description of how
the nominee meets the qualifications outlined.
- Include documentation of the
- Individual’s involvement in community organizations dealing
with substance abuse problem
- Use of the individual as a resource of local and regional
substance abuse treatment programs
- Individual’s volunteer activities presentations made to
various local and regional groups
- Commission Action: Nominations will be processed by the
Certification Commission in the same manner as other
certification requests.
- Duration: Traditional Counselor Recognition is for life. No
renewal application is required. However, the Certification
Commission recommends that continuing education be provided for
those individuals.
The ACBHC has defined Traditional Counselors as “Individuals
who are Native Alaskan and / or who have been raised with
traditional native values and who lived in harmony with these
values, who have long years of voluntary service earning them
the recognition of their people as a source of traditional
knowledge and wisdom as a positive force in resolving community
substance abuse issues”.
In order to be considered, this application must be accompanied
by three (3) letters of recommendation detailing, in narrative
form, the following qualities and characteristics of the nominee
- Caring and empathic individual
- Active member of village organizations which deal with
substance abuse problems
- Identified as village and regional resource person
- Credible and respected in their culture
- Seen as positive role model
- Aftercare resource to rural Alaska programs
- Outreach and prevention worker in their community
- Volunteer
- Requested speaker in other villages
- Outspoken advocate of their people
- Able to influence other’s behavior through traditional
methods and values
- Effective speaker
In addition to letters of recommendation, documentation is
required to verify the following activities of the nominee:
Is or has been an active member in community organization dealing
with substance abuse problems. (Attach letter from leader of
appropriate organization.) Aftercare resource by local and
regional substance abuse treatment programs. (Attach letter from
local or regional substance abuse program director.) Volunteer
activities. (Attach letter from an individual having knowledge of
volunteer activity.) Requested speaker. (Attach letter from an
appropriate person outlining date, location and subject.)
