Pathways to Spirit

In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nathan Velez welcome Michael McFarland, the newly hired Program Administrator for Journey to Recovery. In his first week on the job, Michael shares his early impressions of the Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community, JTR’s programs, and the deeply rooted healing culture he has stepped into. Coming from decades of experience in behavioral health and stateside treatment settings, Michael reflects on what makes JTR unique.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

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Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, host Dr. Troy Melendez sits down with Cameron Francisco, a peer support specialist whose recovery journey reflects profound transformation, resilience, and a deepening connection to spirit and community. Cameron shares how repeated cycles of incarceration, addiction, loss, and broken promises eventually gave way to accountability, surrender, and a new way of living

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, host Dr. Troy Melendez runs solo and explores the complex relationship between psychosis, substance use disorders, and a condition known as anosognosia, a neurological lack of insight in which a person cannot recognize that they are ill or in need of help.

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LEAP Institute

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

General Guidelines

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nathan Velez take a deep dive into Stickiness, a guiding philosophy at Journey to Recovery that has become central to the way healing happens in the Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community.

Stickiness is more than a concept, it’s a way of being. It’s the feeling of connection that keeps people engaged, the sense of belonging that brings them back when they stumble, and the unconditional support that makes recovery possible.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nathan Velez welcome Patrick James and Jordan Manuel — two graduates of the Peer Support Academy whose recovery journeys have led them into essential roles within Journey to Recovery. Through heartfelt stories, grounded insights, and honest reflection, this episode highlights the transformative role of peer support within the community.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

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Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, host Dr. Troy Melendez and cohost Jessica Hunter sit down with cultural counselors Bowie Leonard and Jared Lewis, two people who are helping shape a new era of healing within Salt River. Together, they discuss how cultural knowledge, traditional teachings, and lived experience are being integrated into behavioral health and recovery services across the Community.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nate Velez explore some of the most important strategies for navigating early recovery, the vulnerable, courageous stage when individuals first step toward healing. They discuss the emotional, spiritual, and practical tools that help people stay engaged, build momentum, and create lasting change.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nate Velez welcome Jessica Hunter, Behavioral Health Clinical Administrator, for a conversation about trauma, resilience, traditional healing, and the evolution of behavioral health services within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Jessica shares her journey into counseling and her deep passion for trauma recovery and EMDR therapy. With more than seven years serving the community, she reflects on the path that brought her into leadership roles and her dedication to building a trauma-informed, resilience-focused system of care.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

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Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode of Pathways to Spirit, hosts Dr. Troy Melendez and Dr. Nate Velez welcome Joe Remitera, Director of Health and Human Services, for a deep and inspiring conversation on the vision shaping Journey to Recovery and the entire Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s health system.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

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In this episode, host Dr. Troy Melendez sits down with Journey to Recovery Administrator Frank Saverino to explore the major changes, growth, and future direction of the JTR program. Together, they reflect on the evolution from a small, cramped facility to a state‑of‑the‑art treatment center, and discuss how expansion, cultural grounding, and community-driven care are shaping recovery in powerful new ways.

Questions? Comments? Please email [email protected]

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Call for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Artists!

O’odham Action News wants to publish your artwork. 

Visual or Literary! 

Deadline is November 20, 2026

General Guidelines

Submit your Artwork