At Indigenous House, wellness is not just a program—it’s a return to wholeness. Our Wellness & Healing work is rooted in the Psychology of Sankofa, a West African principle that teaches us to go back and reclaim what has been lost in order to move forward. We believe that true healing requires reconnection—with self, with community, and with the cultural roots that have sustained our people for generations.

What It Is

Our Wellness & Healing programs combine traditional cultural practices with modern therapeutic approaches to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.

We offer

• Sankofa Sessions – A wellness-based, culturally grounded curriculum that addresses trauma, anxiety, and depression through art, history, and science from the African Diaspora and other Indigenous traditions.

• Healing Retreats – Safe, restorative spaces for individuals and groups to reflect, renew, and connect with nature.

• Art Therapy – Guided sessions that use visual art, music, drumming, and movement to support emotional expression, stress reduction, and self-discovery.

Who It Serves

We serve youth, elders, artists, culture bearers, and community members who have been impacted by systemic inequities, cultural displacement, and generational trauma. Our programs are inclusive of people across gender, sexuality, and ability, and we prioritize support for houseless and housing-insecure individuals, survivors of violence, and those navigating mental health challenges.

Why It Matters

For too many in our community, access to culturally relevant wellness resources is limited or non-existent. Indigenous House bridges that gap by providing free or low-cost healing spaces that honor cultural identity while offering tools for resilience. The Sankofa Sessions in particular allow participants to:

• Explore historical and cultural narratives that affirm their identity

• Develop coping strategies rooted in both tradition and modern science

• Build peer networks for ongoing support and empowerment

Measurable Outcomes

Since 2012, our Wellness & Healing programs have:

• Hosted over 150 Sankofa Sessions in schools, community centers, and cultural spaces

• Facilitated 30+ wellness retreats serving over 1,200 participants

• Provided art therapy and wellness coaching to more than 800 individuals

• Increased mental health literacy in underserved communities, with 85% of participants reporting improved self-awareness, reduced stress, and stronger community connections

Partners & Collaborations

We work with Omnira Institute (fiscal sponsor), Epic Wellness, Be Well Natural, and other local healers and educators to deliver this programming. Together, we create spaces where healing is not just an individual journey, but a collective act of resistance and resilience.

Healing is a community responsibility. Join us in creating spaces where people can recover, grow, and thrive—rooted in culture and connected by shared humanity.