NAHO CONFERENCE2009

OTTAWA, ON

The Treatment of Intergenerational Trauma, Resiliency in First Nation

Peoples and the Experience of Residential School Exposure.

Authors: Dr. Bob Chaudhuri (1), Gerry V Martin, Anishawbae(2), Mary Lou Kelley MSW (3)

Affiliations: 1. Northern Ontario School of Medicine

2. Thunder Bay, Traditional Teacher

3. Lakehead University

What are the meanings of Post-Colonial Trauma and what to do?

Linking History to the Present

Linking Present Situations to the Future

Not being afraid to face:– Fear

– Shame

– Guilt

Being vulnerable and a victim

Turning a victim of the past to a victor in the future

Recognizing root causes, i.e. Residential Schools

Ever since Residential Schools were officially sanctioned by the Government in the late 1850s to when they officially closed in the lte 1970s [though some would say it was the finished in late 1980s in the Arctic]:

– children were taken from parents

– many were abused emotionally, physically or sexually

– arguably all were spiritually damaged

– they‟re skills with relationships were compromised

Results:

Depression Anxiety Problems with parenting Maladaptive coping:

– Substance Abuse

– Domestic Violence

– Suicide

– Loss of Traditions/Values/Language

– Accidents

– Incarceration

Trauma Subtypes

Cultural trauma is an attack on the fabric of a society, affecting the essence of the community and its members

Historical trauma is the cumulative exposure of traumatic events that affect an individual and continues to affect subsequent generations

Intergenerational trauma occurs when trauma is not resolved, subsequently internalized, and passed from one generation to the next

Present trauma is what vulnerability Today‟s youth are experiencing on a daily basis

- “Trauma-informed” services are not specifically designed to treat symptoms or syndromes related to sexual or physical abuse or other trauma, but they are informed about, and sensitive to, trauma-related issues present in survivors.

- A “trauma-informed” system is one in which all components of a given service system have been reconsidered and evaluated in the light of a basic understanding of the role that violence plays in the lives of people seeking mental health and addictions services

(Harris & Fallot, 2001)

Trauma Informed Principles

Trauma Informed Services

Understand what is meant by trauma informed systems of care or practices;

Gain an understanding of cultural practices that can direct treatment considerations and;

Incorporate reconciliation / reunification process (Balance and Harmony Concepts)

Trauma Informed Principles

Information:

– Normalize victim‟s and family‟s reactions to severe stress or chaos created by the event(s)

– Provide information about emotional and physical/behavioral reactions to stressful or dangerous events

– Instill hope for victim and family recovery

– Educate family about the benefits and need for talking or addressing event in a helpful manner

Feeling the Impact of Trauma on:

– Feelings and emotions

– Physical and body responses

– Thinking and reasoning function

– Access to family contact and prior level of family support

– Degree of safety and trust

– Expectations about legal/child welfare system

– Questions about self-worth and where client has attachment and sense of belonging

Identity Conflicts

Historical and Cultural effects: Identity as a First Nation person not valued

– Conflict with youth culture (gang, assimilation, dominate society)

– Difficult for Native youth in urban schools to develop a sense of pride in their heritage

– Content with stereotypes of their people and what those stereotypes reflect of themselves – the mirror not the role model

– Biculturalism poses a particular problem (mixed races or mixed tribes)

Restoring Healing and Promoting Balance

Using Story-telling or Narrative methods to instill trust

Uncover Contextual ways of explaining the world

Uncover Contextual ways of explaining how and why good and bad things happen

Pathways for the Healing Process

Models of Well-Being and Resiliency

Emotional

Physical Mental

Communal

Relational

Spiritual

Models of Well-Being and Resiliency

Traditional methods focus on Balance, Harmony, Respect, Connectedness and Wellness

The Healer to be a useful guide to “Healing the Soul Wound” (Duran, 2008) must be mindful that Trust is Key

Role of Helper in Trauma Healing

Guide on the healing pathway

Impart a sense of confidence in process and methods used

Call upon helpers and healers to aid with child and family

Use the family‟s wisdom to assist with the healing process

Affirm the child and family „s sense of well-being and balance

Questions?

Meegwetch, Nia:wen, Merci, Thank you

Acknowledgements to DS Bigfoot at the University of Oklahoma