For centuries, colonial policies suppressed Indigenous ceremonies, traditions, languages, and storytelling. However, over the last few decades there has been a reclamation of cultural practices and an effort to revitalize traditions with a modern twist.

Spiritual and physical healing is a process steeped in sacred cultural practices, dependent on personal individuality, and varies depending on one’s experiences. For Indigenous Peoples, intergenerational trauma has caused deep wounds, leaving many struggling to manage their wellbeing.

The impacts of colonization and the residential school system have left many Indigenous Peoples in need of healing. Yet, systemic systems of oppression have left many without access to critical mental health services, leading to higher rates of addiction, suicide, family instability and violence.

The impacts of colonization and the residential school system have left many Indigenous Peoples in need of healing. Yet, systemic systems of oppression have left many without access to critical mental health services, leading to higher rates of addiction, suicide, family instability and violence.

Art has long been a vital form of expression and knowledge transmission within and between Indigenous cultures. Beadwork, sewing, and painting are traditional practices deeply connected to Indigenous identity and storytelling.

In 2021, the Canadian Census found that Indigenous children under the age of 15 accounted for 53.8% of those in foster care, despite only making up 7.7% of the general population. This number paints a stark picture of the impacts that intergenerational trauma and colonization continue to have on Indigenous children and their families today.

Indigenous women have always played the vital cultural role as caregivers, leaders, knowledge keepers, and supports for their families and communities. But these traditional roles have become warped by colonialist viewpoints and intergenerational trauma.

Many healthcare facilities in Canada have prayer rooms or religious rooms, but the unique needs of Indigenous cultures are often overlooked. In Alberta, few hospitals have space for Indigenous patients and their families to gather for prayer, smudging, and healing, particularly in areas protected from the weather.

Many Indigenous youth, particularly in urban areas, feel left behind and that they’re missing out on crucial opportunities for education and growth. Systemic barriers, intergenerational trauma, and a lack of access to culturally safe and effective mental health supports mean young Indigenous Peoples struggle more than the average individual in their age group.

The burden of intergenerational trauma is one that every Indigenous Person carries. Colonialism and systemic racism have displaced Indigenous Peoples from their lands and deliberately disconnected them from their cultures and support systems, leaving them with a distorted sense of self.