My name is Tammy Whitewing. I currently work in tribal government. The way I try to give back to the community is by telling my story about sobriety and helping those that are in the same situation.
I've been dealing with alcohol and addictions since I was in my twenties. I went down a really dark path. But in 2017, I found myself just tired of the lifestyle of alcohol, the streets. I was tired of it. I asked the Creator to please help me get out of that situation. I was even on my knees, begging him to help me with the addictions.
I just decided it was time and I quit on my own. The first year was the most difficult because you're all in your feelings, trying to put your life back together. Quitting addiction was very difficult, but now I’m going on eight years alcohol free. And my life has changed immensely.
Throughout Native American Indian history, we have faced alcoholism. It’s passed down from generation to generation, sadly. There used to be a lot of natives here in Chicago. But all our places that we used to go to have closed down. Most of the people went back to the reservations. And there's a lot of people still out there that struggle with addiction, it runs rampant in the Native American Indian communities.
When I quit drinking in 2017, I decided that I wanted to go to school for social work. I wanted to help others in similar situations as myself, and I wanted to give back as well. There are so many people struggling out there with alcohol and drug addiction. I went to school for my Bachelors of Social Work and I was a very good student, magna cum laude. Then I followed through with a Masters in Social Work.
My passion is and always has been wanting to help others in the community anywhere I can. Whether it's my tribal members, people in the community, it doesn't matter. I'm here for anybody that needs an ear.
And I just want to say, if anyone out there is struggling with alcohol and addictions, it's never too late to change your life. I'm a prime example.
I've been dealing with alcohol and addictions since I was in my twenties. I went down a really dark path. But in 2017, I found myself just tired of the lifestyle of alcohol, the streets. I was tired of it. I asked the Creator to please help me get out of that situation. I was even on my knees, begging him to help me with the addictions.
I just decided it was time and I quit on my own. The first year was the most difficult because you're all in your feelings, trying to put your life back together. Quitting addiction was very difficult, but now I’m going on eight years alcohol free. And my life has changed immensely.
Throughout Native American Indian history, we have faced alcoholism. It’s passed down from generation to generation, sadly. There used to be a lot of natives here in Chicago. But all our places that we used to go to have closed down. Most of the people went back to the reservations. And there's a lot of people still out there that struggle with addiction, it runs rampant in the Native American Indian communities.
When I quit drinking in 2017, I decided that I wanted to go to school for social work. I wanted to help others in similar situations as myself, and I wanted to give back as well. There are so many people struggling out there with alcohol and drug addiction. I went to school for my Bachelors of Social Work and I was a very good student, magna cum laude. Then I followed through with a Masters in Social Work.
My passion is and always has been wanting to help others in the community anywhere I can. Whether it's my tribal members, people in the community, it doesn't matter. I'm here for anybody that needs an ear.
And I just want to say, if anyone out there is struggling with alcohol and addictions, it's never too late to change your life. I'm a prime example.