A Journey of Recovery and Reconnection - Dale’s Story
On November 4, 2019, I made a life-changing decision: to stop drinking and using drugs. It had been a long and difficult journey up to that point, but I remembered something my mother had once told me. She had said, “Take one of your smokes, offer it to Creator, and ask for help.” Desperate for change, I took a cigarette from my pack, offered the tobacco to Creator, and prayed for help. In that moment, it was as if a light came on in my mind. My prayers were answered, and from that day forward, I have been clean and sober.
After completing treatment, Corrine Eagle Tail from my reserve suggested I apply to live in an Oxford House. In December 2019, I was accepted and moved into one of their homes. It was one of the first peer-supported homes with a focus on Indigenous culture. Oxford House was exactly what I needed—a safe, supportive environment that not only helped me stay sober but also reconnected me with my culture.
Oxford House’s Indigenous homes offer more than just a roof over your head. They are built on a foundation of cultural awareness and respect, blending traditional recovery principles with Indigenous practices. These homes provide a space for daily smudging, prayer, and connection with others who share similar journeys. For someone like me, who had been disconnected from my culture for so long, this was a transformative experience.
Living in Oxford House taught me how to live again after spending 17 years in the grip of addiction. I learned basic life skills that had been lost to me, such as how to budget my money for rent and groceries, and even how to keep my living space clean. These might seem like small things, but they were critical steps in reclaiming my independence.
About a year after moving in, Oxford House organized a sweat lodge ceremony in collaboration with Hal Eagle Tail on my reserve. That moment marked the beginning of my deeper reconnection with my culture. Though I had always known who Hal was, it was through these ceremonies that I began to form a relationship with him. I started attending sweats regularly, a practice that became a cornerstone of my healing journey.
When I left Oxford House 18 months later, I was prepared for the next chapter of my life. I found a place of my own, managed my rent and responsibilities, and eventually regained my driver’s license. Even more meaningful was that my children came to live with me, and I’ve been taking care of them ever since. Having them around fills my life with joy and purpose.
As I continued to attend sweats, I eventually completed a fasting ceremony and received my vision. For the past three years, I have been Sun Dancing in Cypress Hills, an honour that brings both responsibility and fulfillment. Being a Sun Dancer means committing to living with kindness, honesty, humility, and integrity—principles that now guide my daily life.
Oxford House not only gave me the tools to rebuild my life but also helped me reconnect with the richness of my Indigenous culture. I recently finished building a sweat lodge on my reserve, an experience that filled me with pride and gratitude. Collecting the willows, preparing the space, and constructing the lodge felt like coming full circle.
Without Oxford House, I wouldn’t have the life I have today. They gave me the foundation to take care of myself and my family, to embrace my culture, and to live with purpose and integrity. I will forever support their Indigenous-based homes as they create spaces for people like me who can find healing, community, and build a path to a brighter future.
It’s a beautiful culture, and when you embrace it, you can’t go wrong.