FOUNDERS This 501(c)3 Non-Profit Public Charity was founded by Robert Yellowfox Boyd, and James Bywater in 2003. Through grace, hope, and a base of core values, they saw the need for a quality program to be developed for the specific needs of post detox Native American Youth and their families.

JAMES BYWATER - CEO James Bywater ( Founder, and Chief Executive Officer ) is a part-Oklahoma Cherokee who was born and raised in California. James spent four and a half years teaching in Japan, and is fluent in Japanese. James graduated with Honors holding a B.S. Degree in Health Services Management, and is currently working toward completing his Master's Degree in Psychology. James is a current member of both the Oklahoma Counseling Association and the Amercian Counseling Association and also volunteers as the elected treasurer for the Northeast Region of the Oklahoma Counseling Association. He began his work with adolescent programs more than twenty years ago working with various types of teens programs over the years, including two and a half years as Director of the DeSisto School in Massachusetts. He holds many certifications including , Ropes Course instructor, Crisis Prevention, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, Anger Management, and Drug / Alcohol Prevention. His goal is to create a successful program utilizing experiences of that which works, and that which doesn't from other programs. His life ambition is to help as many teens as possible to gain the skills and knowledge for unleashing their limitless ability to become happy and successful, regardless of the various situations that may have been present in their lives. James.Bywater@NativeDirections.com

ROB YELLOWFOX BOYD - CTO Robert Yellowfox Boyd, ( Founder, and Senior Vice President ), has worked in the field of Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention with special populations for over twenty five years. Robert has worked in many venues of services providers, including populations who are deaf, or hearing impaired, children and adults who present with psychiatric issues or diagnosed mental illnesses, and on-scene suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for both adolescents and adults, both in hospital settings, as well as school and agency settings. Rob was educated in Canada, and The United States, and holds advanced degrees in theologically-based psychology, counseling, and is also a certified trainer in crisis prevention techniques. The son of a Metis / Penobscot father, and French-Canadian mother, Rob is the father of two children, Robert jr. and Angela (Mic- Mac / French) and is the co-founder of Native Directions with James Bywater. Rob has worked extensively in Native American venues, both creating programs as well as developing opportunities aimed at educational enhancement for native children from a multiplicity of reservations. Rob specializes in services for young people with addictive issues, and their families. Yellowfox@NativeDirections.com

THERAPY Native Directions provides cutting edge therapeutic interventions utilizing elemental activities, cognative, behavioral modification techniques, and a return to the wisdom of the ancient ones. Elemental techniques are defined as physical activities, which cause the participant to search from within for character defining answers. Key factors are a use of the four elements of nature - Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. The human soul has an instinctual response to certain stimuli which cause the participant to seek the character defining answers to age old questions such as; Where do I come from? Who am I? What do I really want with my life? Participants are repeatedly exposed to these elements through preparations for various Rights of Passage. This process of self discovery is brought about naturally and from within. These Rights of passage instill within the participants the self confidence, and self drive to become valued members of local communities, while maintaining sobriety from alcohol and drugs.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
	James Bywater - Founder, (CEO), Robert Yellowfox Boyd - Founder, (Associate Executive Director), Ron Bywater - Board Member Michelle Lipe - Board Member Dr. Patch Adams, MD. - Advisor to Board of Directors     ©  Copyright 2003-2010 Native Directions Sobriety Support Services Incorporated

LETTER OF SUPPORT