Browning Public School wellness model

Abstract

The Blackfeet Community Needs Assessment reported that 6% of residents attempted suicide in the past year, 40% experienced anxiety severe enough to interfere with daily functioning--twice the national average--and 25% reported four or more adverse childhood experiences (Blackfeet Community Needs Assessment, 2017). In this broader community context, Browning Public Schools faces workforce challenges, with approximately 450 staff positions and 208 resignations or retirements between 2018 and 2022 (Browning Public Schools data specialist, 2025). The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a wellness model for Browning Public Schools to promote staff well-being, reduce burnout, and support staff retention. For this study, a wellness model is a structured, culturally grounded framework that integrates physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of well-being into school practices and organizational culture. The model was developed through a review of wellness literature, analysis of district employment data, and integration of Indigenous-informed frameworks reflective of the Blackfeet community. Implementation included monthly staff wellness activities and a bi-weekly self-assessment to support staff reflection across multiple dimensions of health. Data collected during implementation focused on staff participation, self-reported indicators of wellness, and perceived impacts on morale, workplace relationships, and engagement. Findings suggest that the wellness model may contribute to reduced burnout, improved morale, stronger relationships between staff and administrators, and lower absenteeism. The conceptual framework for the wellness model is grounded in the Sacred Circle Stones "AAUUKSTUKSIN," which emphasizes interconnectivity, balance, and harmony across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual domains. This culturally responsive approach provides a sustainable framework for promoting staff well-being in Indigenous and rural school contexts.