A study of the impact of genocide, forced removals and other traumatic historical events on Native American communities and the process of healing and reconciliation.
Historical Context: Understanding the historical context of Native American genocide is essential in comprehending the magnitude of trauma and healing that the communities experienced.
The Impact of Trauma: The trauma of genocide has lasting impacts on the individual, family, and community levels. Understanding how trauma manifests itself can lead to practical ways of promoting healing.
Resistance and Resilience: Native American communities have demonstrated immense resilience and resistance throughout history. Examining these moments of strength can offer important insights into transgenerational healing.
Genocide and its Forms: Understanding the different forms of genocide, their characteristics, and their impact is critical in understanding how we can prevent it from occurring again.
Trauma-Informed Care: Engaging in trauma-informed care is essential for promoting healing in Native American communities that have experienced genocide.
Cultural Preservation: Native American communities offer cultural preservation as an essential aspect of healing. It is imperative to understand why preserving culture is critical in healing trauma from genocide.
Decolonization: Decolonization can help heal the wounds caused by genocide as Native American communities reclaim their cultural identity and sovereignty.
Ongoing Oppression: Although genocide may have occurred in the past, Indigenous communities frequently face ongoing oppression that can trigger trauma. It is essential to comprehend these ongoing forms of oppression in promoting healing.
Intergenerational Trauma: Trauma from genocide can impact successive generations, which has critical implications for healing that must not be ignored.
Healing and the Role of Ceremony: Ceremonies can be used as a tool for healing, and diverse Indigenous communities have used different ceremonies to address historical trauma, from sweat lodges to powwows. Understanding the role of ceremony in healing can be beneficial.