Gathering of Native Americans/Gathering of Alaska Natives

Mental Health Substance Use Prevention or Treatment Does Not Currently Meet Criteria

The Gathering of Native Americans/Gathering of Alaska Natives (GONA/GOAN) program is a 3-day community event that aims to promote wellness and address community-identified issues. The GONA/GOAN is designed for the whole community including youth, elders, tribal leaders, and spiritual leaders, but a GONA/GOAN can be focused on youth. Native practitioners developed the GONA/GOAN curriculum to empower Native communities, promote mental health, and facilitate healing in response to historical trauma, mental and substance use disorders, and suicide. The GONA/GOAN also seeks to reinforce cultural connections and support healthy and safe child development.  

 

In preparation for the GONA/GOAN, a GONA/GOAN consultant establishes a planning committee with diverse members of the community at least 2 months before the event. The community-led planning process ensures that the event is representative of the community’s unique cultural traditions, spiritual practices, perspective, issues, and needs.  

 

At the GONA/GOAN, the GONA/GOAN consultant and community-based facilitators guide participants through a four-phase curriculum focused on the principles of: (1) Belonging, (2) Mastery, (3) Interdependence, and (4) Generosity. In the first phase, Belonging, facilitators try to foster a sense of belonging by teaching participants about the GONA/GOAN principles and norms, setting aside a safe space for self-care and healing (such as a mediation or prayer room), and forming small teams that participate in activities together throughout the GONA/GOAN. In the second phase, Mastery, participants focus on understanding how historical trauma impacts their community, identifying what fosters individual and community resilience, and promoting healing and recovery. In the third phase, Interdependence, participants work together to create a community prevention and wellness plan designed to strengthen community and personal interconnectedness and identify resources to support the community. In the fourth phase, Generosity, participants acknowledge the role of elders, teachers, and rituals and ceremonies and honor the cultural importance of giving back to others and the community. Participants also commit to their own personal wellness and to helping their community address and prevent mental and substance use disorders, prevent suicide, and promote mental health. 

 

Each phase includes an opening and closing ceremony based on cultural traditions, community and team trust building activities, energizer activities designed to get participants moving and interacting with each other, and the identification of individual and community practices. Each phase also includes educational activities and discussion around the main topics of historical trauma, mental and substance use disorders, suicide, and the promotion of mental health. During these discussions, local behavioral health professionals or spiritual leaders, referred to as “helpers,” are available to provide additional individual support to participants as needed. Finally, throughout the GONA/GOAN, facilitators integrate the sharing of stories, rituals, and ceremonies that are culturally appropriate to the local community.  


Gathering of Native Americans/Gathering of Alaska Natives does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies met eligibility criteria for review.


Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Mar 2024


Sources

The following sources informed the program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information: the program or service manual and the program or service developer’s website.


This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0

Target Population

The GONA/GOAN is designed for Native communities including those living in Alaska Native villages. The GONA/GOAN is designed for the whole community including youth, elders, tribal leaders, and spiritual leaders, but a GONA/GOAN can be focused on youth.

Dosage

The GONA/GOAN is designed as a four-phase event that typically takes place over 3 days, but the length of the event can be flexible to meet community needs. 

Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings

Facilitators lead the GONA/GOAN in the community.

Education, Certifications and Training

A 3-day training is available to become a facilitator for the GONA/GOAN. The training provides an overview of the GONA/GOAN curriculum, values, and topics, how to organize and implement a GONA/GOAN for their community, and facilitation skills. 

Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review

The following two resources are used to implement a GONA/GOAN: 

King, L., & Guillory, G. (2015). GONA/GOAN curriculum & facilitator guide. Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

King, L., & Guillory, G. (2015). GONA/GOAN toolkit. Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Available languages

The GONA/GOAN materials are available in English. 

Other supporting materials

GONA/GOAN Fact Sheet 

GONA/GOAN Planning Guide 

GONA/GOAN Training 

For More Information

Website:  https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/resources  

Phone: (800) 953-1379 

Email: ta-request@tribaltechllc.com  

Contact form: https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/contact-us  


Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.

Results of Search and Review Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Gathering of Native Americans/Gathering of Alaska Natives
Identified in Search 6
Eligible for Review 0
Rated High 0
Rated Moderate 0
Rated Low 0
Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm 0
Sometimes study results are reported in more than one document, or a single document reports results from multiple studies. Studies are identified below by their Prevention Services Clearinghouse study identification numbers. To receive a rating of supported or well-supported, the favorable evidence for a program or service must have been obtained from research conducted in a usual care or practice setting.




Studies Not Eligible for Review

Study 15105

Aguilera, S., & Plasencia, A. V. (2005). Culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention programs for urban Native youth. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 37(3), 299-304. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2005.10400523

This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4)

Study 15106

Barraza, R., Bartgis, J., & Fresno Native Youth Council. (2016). Indigenous youth-developed self-assessment: The personal balance tool. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 23(3), 1-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.5820/aian.2303.2016.1

This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).

Study 15107

Holliday, C. E., Katz, J., Barbosa-Leiker, C., Wynne, M., & Ford, C. (2018). A CBPR approach to finding community strengths and challenges to prevent youth suicide and substance abuse. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 29(1), 64-73. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659616679234

This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).

Study 15108

Kraus, C., Bartgis, J., Lahiff, M., & Auerswald, C. L. (2017). The gathering of Native Americans intervention: Cultivating hope and meaningful relationships for urban American Indian adolescents in California. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(2, Suppl. 1), S1-S20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.10.024

This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4)

Study 15109

Moorehead, V. D., Gone, J. P., & December, D. (2015). A gathering of Native American healers: Exploring the interface of indigenous tradition and professional practice. American Journal of Community Psychology, 56(3/4), 383-394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-015-9747-6

This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).

Study 15110

Nelson, K., & Tom, N. (2011). Evaluation of a substance abuse, HIV and hepatitis prevention initiative for urban Native Americans: The Native voices program. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 43(4), 349-354. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2011.629158

This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4)