The series of events that arrived with the settlers left our Indigenous struggling for survival. Without adequate food, shelter, the disruption of the family and community systems, and vicious warfare, balance was
merely an elusive dream or memory. Policies banning the practice of traditional ways further jeopardized healing and transmission of culture. One event?! Ha!
One generation doesn’t have to be the one that directly suffered the trauma to feel the pain incurred by those before. It’s transmitted through generations by: direct impact of the parents’ social environment on the child, (as the child learns through observation and socialization models), communication between generations, enmeshment, and through the unconscious absorption of repressed trauma experiences. (Kellerman, 2001)
Symptoms from intergenerational trauma are vast, and are often accredited to the social problems that plague Tribal communities today. They include multiple forms of anxiety, higher levels of depression, substance abuse, violence, guilt, taking on a victim identity, anger, suicidal ideation, decreased energy, insomnia, pronounced independence or dependence, problems in interpersonal relationships, feelings of guilt for being excluded from ancestral suffering, and taking on ancestral pain. These problems are aggravated by socio-economic troubles in addition to poor access to medical care, racism and unfavorable or oppressive government policies. Symptoms can come on abruptly, seemingly disappear, and then reappear over time (Denham, 2008). Though the worse of the trauma inducing events are over, significant consequences continue to linger.
Solutions must come from within Tribal communities. Ms. Brave Heart, who is deeply entrenched in the heart of Tribal communities, identified a process for successful treatment to occur. This included guiding the community to confront trauma and embrace history, understand the trauma, release the pain, and finally, transcend it.
Facing the truth of the pain is the first step on this journey. Will we cry? Will we clench our fists in rage? Hopefully. The feelings must be released; the poison expelled. Even when the intensity of the experience leaves us questioning if our heart can press on, we must. We need to depend on each other through this process, as it takes great bravery. Ms. Brave Horse’s model, integrated into Native American healing programs of various types, then allows for education, understanding, and a re-creation of one’s story. Maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and repression may attempt to regain control. Patience and self-forgiveness should be nurtured when progress seems slow.
It’s time for a new narrative; one that emphasizes our strengths, rather than tragedies. Are we survivors, or victims? Are we beat, or on the rise? Have we given up, or are we courageous beyond measure? Each individual gets to choose which words, or themes, they prefer in their story. Choose those which empower. Once these stories are adopted and retold, they become family stories and eventually, community stories. Thanks to dedicated individuals like Ms. Brave Heart, many have already made great progress.
The greatest transformation arises from turmoil, and the Indigenous have been groomed for the most magnificent ascension. I’m honored to witness such a glorious feat.
References
R Denham, A. (2008). Rethinking Historical Trauma: Narratives of Resilience; Transcultural Psychiatry, 64(3), 256-267.
Kellerman N.P.F. (2001). Transmission of Holocaust Trauma; An Integrative View. Psychiatry, 64(3), 256-267.
Yellow Horse Brave Heart, M., & DeBruyn, L. (1998). The American Indian Holocaust: Healing Historical Unresolved Grief. The Journal of the National Center, 8, 60-79.
adjusting and coping for a while. But with time and taking care of yourself, such traumatic reactions usually get better.” 
generations, emanating from massive group trauma experiences.” Mass rape, slavery, dead babies hung from trees, sacred lands stolen, youth knifed by settlers who simply wanted to test the sharpness of their blades, children kidnapped. Like the ships that brought in the new settlers, more and more traumatic events arrived. Before one loss could be grieved, there was another, then another. There was little mercy for the “dirtiest savages who ever walked the face of the earth,” as the Natives in California were called in local newspapers.