Wisdom of Trauma Screening
Dealing with our trauma is a “journey of compassion with ourselves and it opens the door to being compassionate with others." ~ Dr. Gabor Mate
By MARY SAM
Dr. Maria Yellow Horse describes historical trauma in Indigenous people and communities “as (the) cumulative emotional and psychological wounding over the life span and across generations, emanating from massive group trauma”. According to trainer Briana Matrious (Mille Lacs), “healing historical and intergenerational trauma is at the heart of the American Indian Resource and Resiliency Team (AIRRT). AIRRT recently held four training sessions in Hinckley, Mille Lacs, Nett Lake, and Fortune Bay. Susan Beaulieu (Red Lake) also facilitated the training. The programs featured the movie “Wisdom of Trauma,” highlighting the work of Dr. Gabor Mate, a leader in understanding, living with and treating trauma. The goal of the program was to help community participants learn about how trauma impacts individuals and communities. Attendees actively participated in collective activities which support healing.
Briana noted sessions were sponsored by Blandin Foundation and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Dr. Mate shared, “when we are disconnected, we don’t trust our feelings, we create risks for ourselves and our ability to have empathy and compassion for others is impacted.” He noted “predators can always tell those who don’t have protection.” In other words, when we are living in our trauma, others can see this, and sometimes we become more vulnerable to be harmed. Hurt people sometimes take advantage of this and create harm. Mate continued, “when we have been hurt as a child, we sometimes shut down emotionally and later in life, may shut down our own kids, some even hurt our kids, and the cycle continues”.
In the film, Mate challenged the group to think about who they went to as a kid when they needed someone, and to think about who do our kids go to in our community if they really need someone. Facing and working through our own trauma helps us to not abandon ourselves and to not abandon our kids. With trauma, people often react and respond to the past unconsciously. He noted dealing with our trauma is a “journey of compassion with ourselves and it opens the door to being compassionate with others.”
Dr. Mate said, “It's okay to feel, anger can heal.” “When we don’t let ourselves feel, it can result in depression, illness, and passing on trauma. Often, we shy away from anger as it can be scary, uncomfortable and it triggers fear for many people. Yet, anger pushed inside and not released in a healthy manner can end up harming us, sometimes others. Many systems reinforce trauma and are entrenched in trauma. But we heal in community, and need to practice with intentionality healing, kindness, stress management, compassionate inquiry, learning, facing truths, and healing”. With the confrontation of truth, our history, our ‘stuff’, our chances of healing and creating systemic change will rise and transform our lives and even the next generation.
Attendees ended the evening sharing in small groups. Many in attendance noted the healing energy in the room, acknowledging truths, feeling uncomfortable emotions at times, but in true form of our Indigenous healing, created moments of laughter. Elder Joe Nayquonabe said, “Getting back to our spirituality was key for me, in healing my trauma. We need to take care of our minds, bodies, and spirits.” We can and do recover from trauma; it can take time, intentionality, and work, but we can heal.
Brianna and Susan hope to provide this training at Central Lakes College in the coming months.
FACTBOX
According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, “trauma can stem from war and other forms of violence, medical interventions, childhood abuse or neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, accidents and natural disasters, grief and loss, witnessing acts of violence, cultural, intergenerational and historical trauma.”
Symptoms of Trauma:
• Headaches, backaches, stomachache, etc.
• Sudden sweating and/or heart palpitations
• Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, interest in sex
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Easily startled by noises or unexpected touch
• More susceptible to colds and illnesses
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs and/or overeating
• Fear, depression, anxiety
• Outbursts of anger or rage
• Emotional swings
• Nightmares or flashbacks re-experiencing the trauma
• Tendency to isolate oneself or feelings of detachment
• Difficulty trusting and/or feelings of betrayal
• Self-blame, survivor's guilt, or shame
• Diminished interest in everyday activities
Coping Strategies: From the National Council for Behavioral Health:
• Acknowledge that you have been through traumatic events
• Connect with others, especially those who may have shared the stressful event or experienced other trauma
• Exercise
• Relax — try stretching, yoga, massage
• Take up music, art, or other diversions
• Maintain a balanced diet and sleep cycle
• Avoid over-using stimulants like caffeine, sugar, or nicotine
• Commit to something personally meaningful and important every day
• Write about your experience or to share it with others
