Blending Aboriginal and Western healing methods to treat intergenerational trauma with substance use disorder in Aboriginal peoples who live in Northeastern Ontario, Canada

Marsh, Teresa Naseba; Coholic, Diana; Cote-Meek, Sheila; Najavits, Lisa M.

doi:10.1186/s12954-015-0046-1

Cited by 93 publications

(127 citation statements)

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“…We focus on an Indigenous reserve in Northern Ontario, a region of the Canadian Subarctic, by exploring the importance of spaces and places to create postcolonial therapeutic landscapes in order to treat the wounds inflicted by colonialism. The present paper is important because it demonstrates that there are Indigenous ways of knowing that may challenge Western perceptions of health, place and identity (Marsh 2015;Rowan 2014;Willox 2012;Kirmayer et al 2011;Wilson 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…During the last decades a feeling of spirituality, identity and healing has been alive within many Indigenous reserves in Canada (Marsh 2015;Rowan 2014;Kral et al 2011;Lavalle & Poole 2009;Kirmayer & Vlaskakis 2008;Brass 2008;Waldram 2004;Adelson 2004). This is the consequence of the creation of a revitalizing neoanimist/neo-traditionalist social movement called Healing Movement (Kirmayer et al 2011;Tanner 2008;Steward 2008;Kirmayer et al 2000).…”

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During recent years, a subgroup of the population on reserves is making an effort to deal with these existing symptoms in the Indigenous communities, developing some therapeutic initiatives based on contact with nature and going back to animist roots (Marsh et al 2015;Rowan 2014;Rojas & Stubley 2014;Robins & Wein 2011;Jiwa et al 2008;Kirmayer et al 2008;Stewart 2008). In this regard, some members of the Indigenous communities in subarctic Ontario are mentoring and promoting the healing movement.…”

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, biomedicine is the operating paradigm that structures the clinical assistance in Canada in which sensory and spiritual health's dimensions are not taken into account. Therefore, the mental health model that the healing movement suggests is a way of psychotherapy that is not yet properly recognized in the mental health politics in Canada (Marsh et al 2015;Robins & Wein 2011;Kirmayer et al 2011;Papadakis 2008;Stewart 2008). In this regard, on the reserve, they are trying to create a healing environment as opposed to the biomedical environment, regarding the concept of health, diagnosis and treatment, atmosphere and the physical characteristics of the medical facilities.…”

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sense, the main difference between the healing environment in biomedical spaces and the environment of the healing movement is the quality of the place in which the healing occurs. Healing spaces for addictions treatment in the cultural model of the healing movement are much more fluid and porous but are also places for social impugnation and resistance (Marsh et al 2015;Robins & Wein 2011;Papadakis 2008;Stewart 2008). Natural environments such as , rivers, lakes, trees, specific places in the forest, a certain moment of the day, designated sacred spaces in the home, etc., bring fluidity to the place which cannot occur in the biomedical system.…”

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Postcolonial healing landscapes and mental health in a remote Indigenous community in subarctic Ontario, Canada

2016

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Background: Although the concept of therapeutic landscape is concerned with a holistic, socioecological model of health, most studies have attempted to explore the link between the land and health from a Western perspective. There is a need for different (non-"Western") conceptualizations on health and place. We focus on an Indigenous reserve in Northern Ontario, a region of the Canadian subarctic, by exploring the importance of spaces and places to create postcolonial therapeutic landscapes in order to treat the wounds inflicted by colonialism. Objectives:The aim of this research was to gain insight into the views and experiences of First Nations residents living on-reserve that are undergoing a process of regaining traditional spiritual beliefs and teachings to construct therapeutic spaces in order to face mental health problems caused by abusing of legal opioid analgesics. Methods:The current study utilized a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews. Participants were 35 male and female, aged between 19 and 50 years, of Cree and Ojibwe ethnic background. Conventional qualitative content analysis methods, using NVivo 8 software, was used to analyze all semi-structured interviews in a systematic way. Results:Reconnecting with earth, spirituality and traditional animist beliefs is the way to recovery. Taking part in ceremonies and ritual spaces, and seeking knowledge and advice from Elders are adequate practices for personal healing. These practices enable Indigenous people to be physically and mentally healthy, to maintain healthy relationships with others, and to achieve self-respect and a sense of belonging. The Indigenous person needs to construct a self-image as a person whose social role in this world is to protect, respect, care for, and live in harmony with nature. Conclusion:The findings of this research provide important insights into the relationship between space, healing and culture as a determinant of health and well-being and document some of the key factors that contribute to substance abuse recovery.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Post-colonial Healing Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Postcolonial healing landscapes and mental health in a remote Indigenous community in subarctic Ontario, Canada

2016

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How Should Allopathic Physicians Respond to Native American Patients Hesitant About Allopathic Medicine?

Esposito

Kahn-John

2020

AMA Journal of Ethics

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American Indian (AI) and Indigenous peoples utilize traditional medicine/healing (TM/H) for health and well-being. Allopathic health care practitioners (HCPs) receive minimal training and education on TM/H and its application and integration into health care settings. Lack of knowledge and practice guidelines on how to navigate these 2 health care perspectives (allopathic and traditional) creates uncertainties in the treatment of AI and Indigenous peoples. Such conflicts can undermine patient autonomy and result in culturally incongruent practice. This article presents a case study showcasing suggestions for how HCPs can direct clinical decision making when working with AI/Indigenous patients who utilize TM/H. The article argues that health professions education institutions and HCPs must dedicate effort to expanding awareness of and education about TM/H to enhance the delivery of evidence-based and integrated clinical treatment for AI/Indigenous patients. Case Ms Q is a 72-year-old Navajo woman seeing Dr S, a new physician at an Indian Health Service (IHS) unit in New Mexico. Ms Q reports 5 months of weight loss, fatigue, epigastric pain, and jaundice. She lives in a remote community on the Navajo Nation, and her granddaughter drove 2 hours to bring her to the IHS clinic, insisting that Ms Q's symptoms should be evaluated by an allopathic physician. Traditional Navajo healing practices and customs are important aspects of Ms Q's life. Although she does not routinely visit the IHS clinic, Ms Q is open to being evaluated by Dr S. In a follow-up visit, Dr S discusses test results with Ms Q. Based on laboratory evidence of obstructive jaundice and a computed tomography scan revealing a solid mass in the head of Ms Q's pancreas, Dr S suspects that Ms Q has pancreatic cancer and recommends endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a procedure that enables examination of the liver and pancreas ducts, with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to confirm the diagnosis. Ms Q feels hesitant to pursue ERCP with EUS and the required travel and requests to see her medicine man to discuss her symptoms and Dr S's recommendations. Unfamiliar with traditional Navajo healing, Dr S wonders how to respond.

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Healing and wellbeing outcomes of services for Aboriginal people based on cultural therapeutic ways: A systematic scoping review

Wise,

Jones,

Johnson

et al. 2024

American J of Comm Psychol

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Aboriginal Australians experience disproportionately high rates of mental health problems as the result of European colonisation, and Western evidence‐based treatment has been strikingly ineffective in improving the situation. Cultural Therapeutic Ways is a culturally specific healing and wellbeing practice framework developed by the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency that focuses on culturally based practices, trauma awareness, and self‐determination. Despite wide recognition of the importance of these elements in Indigenous healing and wellbeing programs, its measurable empirical impact is currently unclear. This paper summarises findings from a systematic scoping review to ascertain the published knowledge base for Cultural Therapeutic Ways and the gaps in knowledge that can inform future evaluation. Forty‐two studies of programs that applied Cultural Therapeutic Ways with Indigenous participants from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America were identified from the literature search. Services based on Cultural Therapeutic Ways contributed to healing and wellbeing because they create safety, strengthen cultural connections, develop empowerment and provide opportunities to release emotion, and increase social and spiritual support. As the review set out to determine the published evidence base for Cultural Therapeutic Ways, other effective approaches may have been overlooked. To develop the evidence base for Cultural Therapeutic Ways, service design must clearly describe target groups, whether the program is delivered by Aboriginal people, the processes of Cultural Therapeutic Ways utilised in service delivery, and how they are blended with Western approaches. Research efforts could also productively be focused on identifying or constructing culturally appropriate outcome measures.

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Blending Aboriginal and Western healing methods to treat intergenerational trauma with substance use disorder in Aboriginal peoples who live in Northeastern Ontario, Canada

Cited by 93 publications

References 28 publications

Postcolonial healing landscapes and mental health in a remote Indigenous community in subarctic Ontario, Canada

Postcolonial healing landscapes and mental health in a remote Indigenous community in subarctic Ontario, Canada

How Should Allopathic Physicians Respond to Native American Patients Hesitant About Allopathic Medicine?

Healing and wellbeing outcomes of services for Aboriginal people based on cultural therapeutic ways: A systematic scoping review

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