Diamond Ranch Academy is a top-tier Therapeutic Boarding School located in Southern Utah. At Diamond Ranch, we are committed to healing Native American families and communities “one youth at a time.” We have a passion for working with Native adolescents and have built our Native program from the ground up to provide the cultural, educational, and substance abuse recovery needs of the youth we serve. We have helped thousands of youth and families since our doors opened in 1999. We recognize the importance and need for culturally informed treatment and work diligently to connect the Native youth we serve with their rich cultural heritage. We believe cultural connection forms the foundation for sobriety and healthy living. We invite you to learn more about our specialized program for Native American youth.
Our Philosophy
Diamond Ranch has a ground-breaking, culturally competent treatment program for Native American adolescents. Under the direction of Native professionals and consultants, we have designed an integrated, culturally rich program that guides students on a path of discovery and connection with their Native traditions. Students learn the skills of sobriety and healthy living by connecting with their roots and exploring the strength of their Native identity.
Calendar of Events
- WEEKLY
- Bird Singing
- Red Road to Sobriety Meetings
- MONTHLY
- Sweat Lodge
- QUARTERLY
- POW-WOWS (Las Vegas, Mesquite, and Southern Utah)
- SUU POW-WOW
- Paiute Tribe Social POW-WOW
- Cedar Band of Paiutes
- Mesquite POW-WOW
- YEARLY
- Spirit Run Watch Video
Red Road to Sobriety Meetings
Red Road to Sobriety is a Native American alcohol/drug support group meeting. These meetings are held weekly. In this environment, participants will learn to: *Smudge using cedar, sage, and sweet grass for purification purposes. *Observe, and learn the Red Road approach to strengthen their sense of self. *Exercise and apply tribal songs. *Define AA Langauge and terms. *Learn, identify, and exercise traits of a support group member. A Talking Circle is included at the closing of each meeting.
POW-WOWS
(Las Vegas, Mesquite, and Southern Utah)
- SUU POW-WOW
- Paiute Tribe Social POW-WOW
- Cedar Band of Paiutes
- Mesquite POW-WOW
Explore the Strength of Native Identity
Damon Polk
Damon Polk is a certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CADC II). He is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and was born to the Quechan Indian Nation. He grew up in the Quechan Indian Nation in Southern California. Damon facilitates the Red Road to Sobriety/ AA Meetings. He is a certified Prime for Life Instructor and facilitates open Bird singing and Open Drum sessions. Damon strives to incorporate the strengths of our beautiful Native Lifeways with proven treatment modalities to create opportunities for individual student success.
Roland Sun Dancer
I am a Sun Dancer, and I dance twice a year, only after having served as one of the Fire Men for five years at a second dance, not the same one where I dance. This was because my Sun Dance uncle said that I would need to return to the origin of the dance. For my tribe, my family takes care of our funeral and memorial ceremony, for which I am a singer. I do not charge for this privilege of pouring water but see it as an extension of my commitment to the Sun Dance. The first dance is my home dance and is dedicated to the children. The second dance is with a man named Arvol Lookinghorse on the Cheyenne River Reservation. He is Lakota, and that the Lakota Nation is where the dance originated.
