Trauma workers share what healing from historic trauma looks like in Indigenous communities and its powerful, intergenerational effects.
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Although trauma doesnt discriminate, it does affect different cultural communities in different ways.
She Indigenous health researcher, yoga teacher and doula.
Kathy Farah, MD, is a family practice physician who practices integrative and mind-body medicine.
She explains that for Native people, trauma is historic and passed down through generations.
Jessica Barudin is Kwakwaka’wakw from the ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, BC. She Indigenous health researcher, yoga teacher and doula. She has spent the last 10 years working professionally in Indigenous peoples’ health and education including a variety of roles in health research, health promotion, project management, and community engagement.
But there are several organizations and trauma workers that are transforming Native communities through healing work.
And the effects of this healing work have the power to be passed down intergenerationally, too.
What does historic trauma look like?
Scientific studies show that trauma chemically changes someones genes, and those changes can be passed down through generations.
(This field of science is called epigenetics.)
Separate research has found that post-traumatic stress syndrome, for example, isat least partially triggered by genetic predispositions.
Scientific studies show that trauma chemically changes someones genes, and those changes can be passed down through generations.
Joseph says alcoholism is another example of how inherited trauma can manifest physically.
It was given as chemical warfare.
Jessica Barudin is Kwakwaka’wakw from the ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, BC. She Indigenous health researcher, yoga teacher and doula. She has spent the last 10 years working professionally in Indigenous peoples’ health and education including a variety of roles in health research, health promotion, project management, and community engagement.
She explains that both men and women in Native communities began to be used as a coping mechanism.
When pregnant women drink alcohol,it can affect the brain of the fetus.
This is where neurotrauma can come in, Joseph says.
The emotions behind trauma can be inherited, too.
During the pandemic, a lot of Native people were triggered because of that, she says.
The hurt and anger felt by Josephs friend is not an anomaly.
As trauma healers, we help people connect the dots between trauma and the lasting behaviors, she says.
This is super important because you cant heal if you dont know where your trauma is coming from.
The mind-body connection has been well-established by science;what you eat truly does affect your mood.
As much as possible, we are honoring the [Eastern] roots of yoga.
Sometimes, she says, shell also incorporate practices that honor Indigenous roots and cultural practices.
If its appropriate, Ill have smudging to fire up the yoga practice.
She explains that trauma is held in the body; this is certainly true of historical trauma.
Dr. Farah says tribal leaders initially extended an invite to the Center to come and work with them.
With any community we work with, we always ask, What do you need?
and Who would be interested in listening to what we have to offer?'
For example, someone may think, Why did I stay in that abusive relationship?
Why didnt I leave?
They dont know thebodys freeze responseactually shuts the body down.
Knowing this normalizes what someone may be feeling shameful about, she says.
Its a two-way conversation thats mutually respectful.
Were teaching each other, Dr. Farah says.
Healing can have the same momentum, impact, and effect as trauma.
Just like trauma can be intergenerational, so can healing.
We venture to make it as interactive as possible, Joseph says.
Then, well all get back together on Zoom and share what the experience was like with each other.
Weve still found ways to connect.
Healing can have the same momentum, impact, and effect as trauma.
Just like trauma can be intergenerational, so can healing.
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