Healing Through Spirit: Integrating Indigenous Healing Practices in Education and Mental Health

Agenda & Learning Objectives

Day 1: Understanding Trauma and the Role of Spirituality in Healing

• Registration and Welcome
  • Opening circle and introduction to the workshop’s purpose and objectives
  • Overview of the agenda, ground rules, and expectations for participation
• The Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma in Indigenous Communities
  • Defining intergenerational trauma and its historical roots (colonization, forced assimilation, systemic violence)
  • The effects of historical trauma on identity, culture, and well-being
  • How trauma is passed down through generations: Psychological, cultural, and social impacts
• Spirituality as a Source of Healing and Resilience
  • The role of spirituality and cultural ceremonies in Indigenous healing traditions
  • Understanding how spiritual practices promote resilience, recovery, and a sense of belonging
  • Case examples of spiritual ceremonies (sweat lodges, smudging, vision quests, etc.) and their therapeutic benefits
• The Role of Storytelling and Traditional Knowledge in Healing
  • The power of storytelling as a means of passing on cultural knowledge and healing wisdom
  • How oral traditions and community narratives foster resilience and identity
  • Practical techniques for integrating storytelling into modern therapeutic settings
• Trauma-Informed Care in Indigenous Communities
  • What is trauma-informed care and why it is critical in Indigenous healing?
  • Key principles of trauma-informed care that align with Indigenous cultural values
  • How to integrate trauma-informed care with spiritual and community-based practices

Day 2: Practical Approaches to Healing and Community Empowerment

• Opening Circle and Reflection from Day 1
  • Group discussion on learnings, insights, and reflections from Day 1
• Incorporating Indigenous Healing Practices into Education and Mental Health
  • Practical tools for integrating Indigenous spiritual practices and healing traditions into education and mental health settings
  • Collaborative approaches to healing: Working with community leaders, Elders, and family structures
  • Addressing cultural competency and bridging the gap between traditional healing and modern therapeutic methods
• Healing the Individual and the Community: Practical Strategies
  • Using traditional healing ceremonies in individual therapy and group settings
  • Building community resilience through collective healing practices (e.g., communal feasts, group ceremonies, and wellness circles)
  • Integrating Western therapeutic methods with Indigenous healing practices (e.g., mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.)
• Empowering Future Generations: Reclaiming Cultural Identity and Well-Being
  • Restoring balance: How reconnecting with cultural practices and language fosters personal and collective healing
  • The importance of youth involvement in healing processes: Mentorship, leadership, and cultural preservation
  • Creating culturally relevant programs for youth, families, and communities
• Building Sustainable Healing Practices: Moving Forward
  • Strategies for creating long-term, community-driven healing programs that integrate both Indigenous wisdom and modern therapeutic approaches
  • Collaborative partnerships: How non-Indigenous and Indigenous professionals can work together to support healing
  • Resources and networks for ongoing support and education
• Closing Circle and Reflections
  • Final reflections from participants
  • Sharing takeaways and commitments for applying learning in practice

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma:Explore the historical and systemic factors that contribute to trauma in Indigenous communities and how these experiences continue to influence the well-being of students and their families.
2. Spirituality as a Path to Healing:Examine the role of Indigenous spiritual traditions, ceremonies, and cultural practices in promoting resilience and mental health within educational and community settings.
3. Integrating Cultural Practices into Education and Mental Health:Learn how to incorporate Indigenous wisdom, spirituality, and trauma.