The best means for fighting alcohol abuse in a Native American community is one that has been developed by the community itself. The Blue Bay Healing Center of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana) is an example of two tribes taking responsibility for alcoholism and its control. In designing and operating Blue Bay, the Salish-Kootenai people used a six-step process: looking at the problem face-on, assessing relevant cultural values, identifying four healing principles that support tribal values, assessing local resources, outlining and implementing an action plan, evaluating and starting the process over again. An earlier program focusing on detoxification had not been successful. The tribe set aside 10 acres with old lodges and cabins as a healing center. When an individual returns from residential treatment, he or she is joined by family members at the center, in an environment supported by trained staff and other recovering tribal members. Together the family learns about alcoholism, practices Indian traditions, learns parenting and intra-family communication techniques, and identifies its own resources. The healing center also offers special short-term residential learning programs (such as for young children of alcoholics), hosts social support groups, and provides a place for sober community recreational activities. (SV)