Sarina Thate Othunwahe DiMaso, PRSS, CHW, MAA, Recovery & Relapse Prevention Counselor
Sarina Thate Othunwahe (Windy City) DiMaso is a Recovery Relapse Peer Support Prevention Counselor at AIHSC. Sarina is a 52-year-old mother of four and grandmother of one. She is a citizen of the Chiricahua Apache and Taino nations and in 2016 was adopted by Oglala Lakota at Standing Rock, North Dakota and given the spirit name “Windy City”; and on Christmas 2021 given the name Wamackha Ognake Icante Win “woman with heart of everything that is”. Sarina has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years, beginning her career as a Home Health Assistant (HSA) in 1990, and obtained her MAA (Medical Administrative Assistant) Degree from Everest College in 2007. In the last 2 years, Sarina began training as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Community Health Worker, Relapse Recovery Coach and Suicide Prevention Counselor. Sarina has coordinated peer, addiction, recovery, mental health, behavioral health and wellness programs. She recently received her certification as Personal Fitness Trainer with Native American Fitness Council and received a license from the state of Illinois as a Notary.
Currently, Sarina chairs Wellbriety/White Bison Recovery meetings both virtually and in person. Sarina focuses on youth empowerment, and works with adults and elders, mental/behavioral health, recovery, suicidal ideation, treatment plans, harm reduction and traditional Indigenous teachings and ceremonies. She works with supporting partners in planning, implementing and sustaining value based support, through consultation, training, resource sharing, webinar facilitation and hosting communities of practice at places such as The American Indian Center of Chicago, Midwest Soarring (Lockport, Illinois) St. Kateri of Chicago, Standing Rock Oceti Sakowin (Cannonball, ND), Parent Support Network, Victa Recovery Center, and Brown University (Providence, RI).
Sarina’s hobbies are Craft Work Like making Ribbon skirts and Shawls, Hand Crafted Genuine Native Beadwork, Dreamcatchers, Jewelry, Crocheting blankets, and hanging out with her grandson Hugo.
