Healing the American Indian Soul Wound

Yukon First Nations Youth Mental Wellness: The Development of Culturally Appropriate Healing.

“…I endlessly search for any opportunity to discuss the power of Spirituality with anyone who lives a Spiritual life. I have engrossed myself in literature by Graveline (1998Graveline ( ,2004, Henderson (2008), Mehl-Madrona (2003), Duran (2006) and Duran and Duran (1995 …”

“…These differences in paradigmatic perspectives can form a barrier to effective health promoting services for Native peoples who seek mental health support from formally trained counsellors, including those who may be trained in cross-cultural or multicultural approaches. Further, Duran (2006) suggests that counselling Indigenous individuals from a non-Indigenous perspective (i.e. Western perspective) is a form of continued oppression and colonization, as it does not legitimize the Indigenous cultural view of mental health and healing.…”

Beforeplay: Family stories, teen and adult parents and sexual health communication.

“…Exploring contextual situations to reflect upon sexual health and family communication may expand awareness of relationships and family dynamics, and encourage the story-teller to reflect on how context may influence outcomes (Baker Miller et al, 2004;Duran, 2006;Duran & Duran, 1995;Herman, 1992;HoUeran & Waller, 2003;Short, Grant, & Clarke, 2007;Skerrett, 2004;. The relevance of context plays a role in the family stories and sexual health education in the stories of the participants, influencing how their values and situations can offer pathways to preferred outcomes.…”

“…I was particularly delighted with the drawing activity, both as a tool for exploring participants' experiences and also because of the element of fun that drawing brought into the discussion. Duran (2006) suggests that bringing elements of creativity into practical settings are "liberation interventions," presenting a truly client-centred approach to the work where the client "can realize fairly quickly that the intervention resides in her" (p. 41; see also Barton, 2004). I felt that during the art piece the participants opened up a bit, enjoying the experience of drawing and exploring their illustrated relationship, and also adding an element of fun to what may have been experienced as an intense interview.…”

“…I chose to participate in this nanative research framed in critical theory and social constructionism because I am committed to respecting relationships, acknowledging the importance of historical processes in health outcomes, and working toward social empowerment that includes active agency in health and education programming (Duran, 2006;Herman, 1992;Skerrett, 2004;. The participants and the process of this research have taught me new ways to grow in relationship with others, and help me reflect on how to be a better cotinsellor.…”