3.7 Trauma Informed Practice for Indigenous Peoples

Important to Increase Awareness about Trauma Informed Practice for Indigenous People

8th Fire Wab Kinew – 500 Years in 2 minutes

Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew (/wɑːb kɪˈnuː/; born December 31, 1981), is the Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

July 15, 2021 Wab Kinew challenges new Indigenous Minister’s defence of residential schools

Why is the Past Important

It is important to have awareness of the negative impact of psychological trauma on a person’s health and wellbeing.  Understanding the journey that belongs to the Indigenous person/people/community we are working with, and what that journey was for them.  Colonialism is defined as “control by one power over a dependent area or people.” (Merriam Webster).

Historical or intergenerational trauma occurs when trauma caused by historical oppression is passed down through generations. For more than 100 years, the Canadian government supported residential school programs that isolated Indigenous children from their families and communities (see Residential Schools in Canada).

This impacts parenting skills, experience, families, culture, communities, experiences, education and relationships to just name a few.

Indian Residential School System

Understanding Intergenerational Trauma

Intergenerational Trauma:  Residential Schools

Intergenerational trauma may begin with a traumatic event affecting an individual, traumatic events affecting multiple family members, or collective trauma affecting larger community, cultural, racial, ethnic, or other groups/populations (historical trauma).  Intergenerational trauma (sometimes referred to as trans – or multigenerational trauma) is passed down from those who have the experience and the generations that follow them.  It affects individuals, parents, elders, children, community, family members, cultural, racial, ethnic and more. (https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/Understanding_Intergenerational_Trauma)

Indigenous Health Care Practitioners

Indigenous health care practitioners are an important component for the Indigenous community.  These practitioners are both culturally and clinically competent, meaning that they understand, communicate and articulate the Indigenous healing methods that are the most therapeutic strategies to Indigenous Communities.  They also have sufficient Western education to be able to dialogue with Indigenous Communities on many different levels including psychiatry which allows them to have an understanding of wholistic health and their philosophies towards mental health. (Decolonizing Trauma Work)

This assists with recognizing the many layers of Intergenerational trauma that has occurred in this community.  They are trained and understand the meanings, purpose, ceremonies, culture and most importantly trauma and how it affects them on so many different levels.

Stolen Children

Stolen Children  / Residential Students Speak Out – CBC (Residential School Survivors share their stories)

Indigenous Strategies for Helping and Healing

Wholistic health is important in the Indigenous Communities, the philosophies are derived from traditional Indigenous perspectives. It is important to understand what wellness means in the Indigenous Communities.  This understanding includes: balance and harmony (understanding the connection between good health, balance and harmony), Being in Creation (a strong relationship with Creation), care and compassion (that a person has for his/herself and their community) and the challenge Indigenous communities contend with in the pursuit of wellness (kindness and respect for others in their community/world).

There are specific Indigenous Strategies for Helping and Healing for individuals, families and communities.  These include:  helping with trauma, prayer, Spiritual Connection, Love, Relationships, Cultural and Ceremonial Resources, Cultural Assessment, Cultural Identity and Decolonization, Assistance with Depression, Cultural specific approaches, Help with parallel and multiple realities (replace the psychiatric classification of psychoses and psychotic episodes), experiencing Spirit, being open to a different reality (keeping an open mind), and connections with family and community.

Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation has had a long journey to be heard.  We are more aware but still have so far to go.  It will take many generations.

The NCTR (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation) is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.  It was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials now forms the sacred heart of the NCTR.

Wab Kinew – Understanding Reconciliations:  Mere co-existence, New Foundation, or Mutual Celebration?

The importance of Indigenous Education & Services

Introducing the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction