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Help Starts Here, an online resource for social workers is honoring Native American social workers in honor of American Indian Heritage Month. They asked outstanding Native American social workers to tell why they became social workers and to discuss the unique challenges facing the Native American Community. One featured worker is Sidney Pilkinton of Vinita, Okla.

Sidney J. Pilkinton

MSW, LCSW, LADC

Admissions Director

Rose Rock Recovery Center

Vinita, Oklahoma

Q.  What is your area of expertise?

My area of expertise is as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor providing services to mental health, addictions, trauma, and co-occurring disorders populations. I have experience providing services to Latency, adolescent, and adult populations. I _am employed with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as an Admissions Director. I also provide evaluations as a private practitioner in the community.

Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?

I am in the business of “giving back” to the community and I enjoy helping others!

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing the Native American community and how can social workers help?

The biggest issue I feel facing Native American population is continuing their heritage and traditions. As a Native American it is difficult to function holistically in our society and continue the practice of our traditions.

I am fortunate to live in Oklahoma and to be a proud member of the Cherokee Nation. As a Native American living in Northeastern Oklahoma our heritage, language, and traditional life style is integrated into societies through tribal government. This is provided through education, employment, health care, mental wellness, community centers, special activities, annual events, and many other methods and services provided through the Cherokee Nation Tribal Government.

Our government is primarily focused on maintaining and expanding the Cherokee peoples heritage and traditions to it’s traditional functioning.

Social Workers can help by providing traditional healing methods and techniques in their delivery of services to Native American people. They can also assist in their communities through volunteer work as well as educating themselves about culture and specific tribal traditions.

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in such an important culture event. It is vital as Social Workers we pay close attention to the culture and heritage of those we serve.

For more profiles or information, visit http://www.helpstartshere.org .