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Cultural Considerations in Tribal Behavioral Healt ...
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The presentation by Danica Love Brown, PhD, from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, addresses the profound impact of trauma on Native American health and the vital role of cultural connectedness in healing. Trauma is defined broadly, including acute, repetitive, complex, developmental, vicarious, and especially cultural, historical, and intergenerational trauma. Historical trauma refers to the cumulative emotional and psychological wounds experienced across generations due to collective suffering.<br /><br />Trauma disrupts individuals' connection to their bodies, feelings, and relational ways of being, fostering shame and alienation from the present. Importantly, Indigenous perspectives emphasize that trauma is not solely an individual issue but stems from systemic and historical abuses of power, particularly by states.<br /><br />Healing through cultural connectedness involves sacred reconnection—with ancestors, the land, and cultural practices. Indigenous trauma care recognizes the need to restore original instructions, relational ways of life, and narrative storytelling. This includes integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge and healing practices into treatment to promote resilience and overall wellness.<br /><br />The concept of “culture as medicine” underscores prevention and healing via participation in Indigenous ceremonies, traditions, and reconnecting with the spiritual aspects of medicine and substances. Epigenetic research supports that trauma and ancestral wisdom transmit biologically, further underscoring the importance of culturally grounded interventions.<br /><br />Effective healing approaches are client-centered and strength-based, fostering trust, and incorporating varied theoretical models. Despite the complexity and persistence of trauma, healing is possible due to the brain’s resilience and ongoing development over a lifespan.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation advocates for trauma-informed care that incorporates Indigenous cultural healing as a powerful, preventative, and restorative force, honoring Native people's rich heritage and government-to-government sovereignty with the United States.
Keywords
Native American trauma
cultural connectedness
historical trauma
intergenerational trauma
Indigenous healing practices
culture as medicine
epigenetic trauma transmission
trauma-informed care
resilience and wellness
government-to-government sovereignty
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