Indian
Country
Child Trauma Center
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
History of
Victimization in Indian Country - a monograph developed to assist
individuals in better understanding issues affecting Native communities.
Many American Indians have found healthy ways of coping with the stress
of forced acculturation, attempted genocide, loss of land and culture,
and the death of loved ones. They have coped by practicing Native spirituality,
valuing connections with families and communities, and initiating a grassroots
movement toward healthier lifestyles. (Barcus, C. Society
of Indian Psychologists, Chapter 5, Recommendations for the treatment
of American Indian Populations.)
Many Native Americans will seek help from family members or traditional healers before considering professional mental health services. Professionals should acknowledge family and community resources as an intricate part of treatment. (Barcus, C. Society of Indian Psychologists, Chapter 5, Recommendations for the treatment of American Indian Populations.)
Group work, especially when it is consistent with the culture and values of Native people, may be the most effective treatment, especially for Native children because of the interdependent nature of Native communities. (Barcus, C. Society of Indian Psychologists, Chapter 5, Recommendations for the Treatment of American Indian Populations.)
Although they have access to
valuable printed and non-printed information (e.g., conferences, seminars,
etc.), counselors who do not interact regularly with Native Americans
may still have a limited understanding of the generational effects of
involuntary separation of Native Americans from traditional culture/religion
(Freeman, 1999; Garrett & Pinchette, 2000; Garrett
& Wilbur, 1999; Hagen, House, & Skenadore, 1995; Lurie, 1966,
1987).
Historical trauma is cumulative emotional wounding across generations, including one’s own lifespan, which emanates from massive group trauma such as massacres, boarding school abuses, and intergenerational transfer of traumatic responses. This trauma included the experience of the violence of genocide and war trauma. The historical trauma response is a constellation of features in reaction to intergenerational traumatic history. Parents who have been traumatized as children often pass on trauma response patterns to their offspring, including violence. Boarding schools had an especially negative impact upon the quality of Native parenting and the development of domestic violence in Native families. Gender roles and relationships were also impaired as Natives were taught values that women and children were the property of men and that the corporal punishment of children was acceptable. The sacred role of women and the sacredness of children were devalued.
|
|
Center on Child Abuse and Neglect
Native American Programs
PO Box 26901 - OUCP, 3B 3406
Oklahoma City, OK 73190
(405) 271-8858
(405) 271-2931 Fax