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PRESENTATION1.pdf

RECONNECTING TO INDIGENOUS CULTURE:

TRADTIONAL HEALING PRACTICES FOR SUICIDE

PREVENTION IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

BY JENNY-LEE ROUSSEL QUACHEGAN

Aspects of Indigenous

Culture

2

Colonial History in Canada

Suicide Prevalence

4

Traditional Healing

Practices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Western- Based

Approaches

Holistic Approach

1 3

5 6

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF CANADA • According to the Canadian Government Indigenous Peoples of Canada include

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit

• Unique tribes, clans, and nations

• Indigenous peoples have the fastest growing population, approximately 1.7 million in 2016 (Ansloos, 2018)

• Balance between the spirit and physical world

• Connection with the land: Honouring and Respecting (Barker et al., 2017)

• Sharing traditions and stories

• Community strength: Viewing family beyond blood relations (Sommerfeld, Danto, & Walsh, 2022)

• Unique traditional languages (Gonzalez, M. B., Sittner, K. J., & Walls, M. L.)

Northern Ontario • There are a total of six remote Indigenous communities

surrounding James Bay and Hudson Bay • On Treaty 9 of 1905 to 1906 • In this area are mainly Cree communities • Isolated communities

• Transportation is by train, plane, boat, and by seasonal winter road (Danto & Walsh, 2017)

• Since 1986, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, located in treaty 9, has reported more than 562 deaths by suicide (Troian, March 2018).

COLONIAL HISTORY

Ø Over 150, 000 Indigenous children

Ø Between 1870’s to mid 1990’s

Ø Goal was “to rid the Indian in the child”

Ø Many youth suffered from physical,

mental, spiritual, and sexual abuse

Ø Caused intergenerational trauma and

cultural genocide

(Wilk, Maltby, & Cooke, 2017)

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM SIXIES SCOOP

Ø Forcibly removed Indigenous children from their homes; often

without cause Ø Placed in non-Indigenous homes

Ø Loss of culture and family connection

Ø Isolation and forms of abuse

(McCauley & Matheson, 2018)

Suicide Prevalence in Indigenous Communities

Through colonization, Indigenous people lost decades worth of traditional practices and languages.

Survivors from Residential School system often experienced an identity crisis and trauma. This led

to negative coping mechanisms.

• Intergenerational Trauma: Passed on from one generation to the next. (Ansloos, 2018, p. 11)

• Northern communities have experienced a suicide crisis due to isolation and lack of mental health resources

• Research has indicated that suicide rates among youth have increased due to a loss of identity (Gonzalez,

Sittner, & Walls,)

• Suicide rates are connected to other mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse,

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual dysfunction, and personality disorders (Wilk, Maltby, & Cooke,

2017)

STATISTICS Ø Suicide is the main cause of death for

Indigenous people under the age of 44 (Ansloos, 2018, p. 11)

Ø In total, of 50-60% of suicides were men and 40% were youth (p. 12)

Ø In 2018, youth suicide rates were 5 to 7 times higher than non-Indigenous. Then, Inuit youth were 11 times more likely to commit suicide than non-Indigenous youth (p. 11)

Traditional Healing and Practices

TRADITIONAL PRACTICES • Smudging with the sacred medicines which

includes tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweet grass • Ceremonies include:

• Sweat lodge • Pipe Ceremony • Powwow

(Danto & Walsh, 2017)

Source: Canadian Encyclopedia

Indigenous healing practices, which is: “The sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences Indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness”.

- World Health Organization (Logan et., 2020)

Seven Grandfather Teachings

• Guiding principles used in Indigenous culture in which demonstrates Indigenous history and strength

• Used in many different ways such as in education and workplaces

• Anishnaabe teaching • Includes love, wisdom, respect,

truth, humility, honesty, and courage

(Kading, et al, 2019)

Source: Earth Haven

Indigenous Medicine Wheel

• Represents a holistic approach and multi-dimensional view of health

• Dimensions include the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual (Matsumoto & Juang, 2023)

• The medicine wheel represents balance and interconnection between all beings

• Elders emphasize community strength using this framework (Danto & Walsh,, 2017)

• Includes four colours: Yellow, red, black, and white

This model is used throughout Northern Indigenous communities as it can be used to ensure balance in one’s life. It is used as a mental health resource as it promotes cultural and land connection.

Source: JVDW Designs

Importance of Cultural Revitalization

Definition: The methods in which an Indigenous community comes together to reclaim their health and healing (Gonzalez et al., 2022)

• Acknowledging Indigenous culture and traditions • Learning traditional languages, hunting and fishing practices,

ceremonies, and spiritual beliefs • Seeking elder knowledge and teachings • Breaking down barriers caused by discrimination and

stereotypes, which will benefit the community and mental health concerns

- Sommerfeld, Danto, & Walsh, 2022

“Individual stories are “...widely respected as a source of knowledge, wisdom and affirmation of

identity and may draw upon common themes, “...especially in terms of the importance of holistic

healing inclusive of physical, psycho-logical, social, and spiritual aspects of life”

Research based on Grassroots Land-Based program in Mushkegowuk Territory, located in Northern Ontario.

• Program activities include hunting, fishing, trapping, story telling, prayers, ceremony, and sharing circles

• These aspects are essential to reclaiming Indigenous identities and wellbeing

• Promotes being supported and connected to others • Indigenous healing approach which is based on individual community

needs • Instructed by valued members in the community • Provides a safe and flexible environment (Danto & Walsh, 2017)

Land-Based Healing Interventions

Western-Based Approaches

• Focuses on psychotherapies and medications

• Client-centered (Matsumoto & Juang, 2023)

• Based on mainstream knowledge and methods

• Western approaches focus on the biological and scientific

knowledge (Logan et., 2020)

A Holistic Approach

Holistic approaches blend both traditional teachings and Western-based approaches

• It is the most effective method as allows Indigenous people to feel safe • Includes multiple levels of healing and acknowledges culture (Matsumoto & Juang,

2023)

Two-Eyed Approach • Involves viewing the benefits of both methods to reach a successful

outcome. Includes finding common grounds and respecting both approaches. (Logan et., 2020)

Issues Preventing Healing

• The “Calls to Action” by the Trust and Reconciliation Commission of Canada are being disregarded

• Barriers caused by discrimination and stereotypes • Underrepresented statistics caused by insignificant measures • Damaged relationships between government and Indigenous communities

as there is a lack of respect and transparency (Wilk et al., 2017)

• Insufficient funding and feedback when submitting proposals (Sommerfeld, 2022)

• Western-based approaches can lead to further harm as it causes Indigenous people to feel isolated and uncomfortable (Matsumoto & Juang, 2023)

Conclusion

Indigenous people continue to experience significant physical and psychological issues due to intergenerational trauma. It has led to suicide prevalence amongst their communities. It worsens in Northern Communities as they are isolated and have insufficient resources.

To improve this issue:

• Acknowledge Indigenous voices and history • Raise awareness through social media or by supporting Indigenous

campaigns • Using the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach

HELPLINES & RESOURCES Listed below are Indigenous Mental Helplines Provided by Jacks Organization

• Indian Residential School Survivor Society: The IRSSS Crisis line is available 24/7 at 1-800-721-0066.

• Hope for Wellness Online at hopeforwellness.ca. Provided 24/7, 7 days a week. Available in Cree and English.

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (24 hours). Text "TALK" to 686868 to reach a counsellor.

• ConnectTeen: Call 403-264-8336. Text 587-333-2724. Available 24/7.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273- TALK (8255)

Resourceful Websites

• We Matter Campaign • The Moose Hide Campaign

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik

THANK You

References

Ansloos, J., PhD. (2018). Rethinking Indigenous Suicide. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 13(2), 8-28. https://doi.org/10.18357/ijih.v13i2.32061

Barker, B., Goodman, A. & DeBeck, K. Reclaiming Indigenous identities: Culture as strength against suicide among Indigenous youth in Canada. Can J Public Health 108, e208–e210 (2017). https://doi.org/10.17269/CJPH.108.5754

Gonzalez, M. B., Sittner, K. J., & Walls, M. L. (2022). Cultural Efficacy as a Novel Component of Understanding Linkages Between Culture and Mental Health in Indigenous Communities. American Journal of Community Psychology, 70(1-2), 191–201. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12594

Hyett, S., Marjerrison, S., & Gabel, C. (2018). Improving Health Research Among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 190(20), E616–E621. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.171538

Indigenous Mental Health Resources. Jack.org. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://jack.org/IndigenousMHResources

Kading, M. L., Gonzalez, M. B., Herman, K. A., Gonzalez, J., & Walls, M. L. (2019). Living a Good Way of Life: Perspectives from American Indian and First Nation Young Adults. American Journal of Community Psychology, 64(1-2), 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12372

Logan, L., McNairn, J., Wiart, S., Crowshoe, L., Henderson, R., & Barnabe, C. (2020). Creating space for Indigenous healing practices in patient care plans. Canadian Medical Education Journal, 11(1), e5–e15. https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.68647

References (2)

Matsumoto, D. & Juang, L. (2023). Culture and psychology (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

McCauley, K., & Matheson, D. (2018). Social Work Practice with Canada’s Indigenous People: Teaching a Difficult History. Practice (Birmingham, England), 30(4), 293–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2018.1483493

Nelson, S. E., & Wilson, K. (2017). The mental health of Indigenous peoples in Canada: A Critical Review of Research. Social Science & Medicine, 176 (Complete), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.01.021

Powwows in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/powwows-editorial

Sommerfeld, J., Danto, D., & Walsh, R. (2022). Indigenous Grassroots and Family-Run Land-Based Healing in Northern Ontario. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(4), 1972–1983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00496-0

The Seven Grandfather Teachings. Earth Haven Farm. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://earthhaven.ca/qas/the-seven-grandfatherteachings/210

Turtle Symbol for Indigenous People of Canada. Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turtle_symbol_for_indigenous_people_of_Canada.svg

Wilk, P., Maltby, A., & Cooke, M. (2017). Residential schools and the effects on Indigenous health and well-being in Canada-a scoping review. Public Health Reviews, 38https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-017-0055-6