Psychotherapy and indigenous people in the Kingdom of Denmark

Abstract

Greenlanders are the indigenous people of the Kingdom of Denmark. Through the study of literature, the authors conducted a preliminary investigation into the psychological and social problems of Greenlanders as well as the status of psychotherapy. The main type of therapy offered takes a Western cultural perspective, but the prevalence of culturally sensitive psychotherapy practices is increasing. The authors examined the traditional indigenous healing practice of the angakok (shaman), concluding that it is not a living tradition but can be traced from the indigenous Inuit culture alive in Greenlanders today. Three key areas for culturally sensitive psychotherapy practices are identified: (1) global, holistic, visual and bodily ways of learning, (2) community‐based and collective practices, and (3) social values and the collective healing of broken social values (taboos). The authors concluded that more research is needed, along with the development of guidelines for culturally sensitive therapy for Greenlanders and the integration of indigenous practices and perspectives into psychotherapy.

Here is my heart: A reflective response to ‘Indigeneity in Europe’

“…I connect with you, indigenous people of Greenland, and your stories as carried into this creative world in the article by Bagge and Berliner (2021). We closely link with one and another: we have a love for and are connected with the natural world that takes care of us; our traditions and culture speak the same metaphoric language; our culture speaks of balance in all things between men and women, between responsibilities of the tribal peoples we share that equally; our traditions have our stories that speak to the creation of our Earth and our people and we hold those stories sacred.…”

‘Stay a while with your own ones’: A reflective commentary on ‘indigeneity in Europe’

“…They reflect on how the original communities had many positive benefits such as, sharing, helping, caring and belonging. In their article ‘Psychotherapy and indigenous people in the Kingdom of Denmark’, Bagge and Berliner (2021) describe the socio‐economic data of the indigenous community of the Greenlanders. The authors' reference to the soulful losses of the Greenlanders put me in mind of the following song:

I’m going back, going back to my own ones

Oh this world is so cold

Don’t care nothing for your soul

You stay with your own ones.

(Morrison, 1988)

…”