The Sacred Way of Life & Journaling is a foundational healing guide and personal reflection tool written by Dee Rhodes-Koester, M.S., and published by the WomenSpirit Coalition. Originally printed in 2008 and updated in 2025, this journal serves as a "benchmark of healing" for survivors of trauma, particularly those from the Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, and Makah tribes. The text emphasizes the historical role of Native women as revered and respected leaders in traditionally matrilineal societies—a status that conflicted with the introduction of domestic and sexual violence. It provides a liberatory framework for recovery by encouraging survivors to "relearn and model" leadership, engage in self-examination, and navigate the complex "system interventions" that impact daily life. The journal concludes with creative prompts for visioning and "Choices of Being," empowering survivors to reconnect with their intuition and authentic purpose.
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