Page 5 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July - August 2023

5
Understanding historical trauma

Find strength and
healing in culture
and community

Dereck Stonefish of the
Iroquois and Hunkpapa Lakota
Nations presented Our Crazy
Indigenous Life on Aug. 1-3.
Chehalis Tribal Social Services
hosted tribal members, staff and
youth in the Community Center’s
Gathering Room. The training
discussed the effects of historical
trauma on Indian Nations and
shared steps on how to heal.
Thirteen people attended the
session on the first day. Dereck,
training coordinator of the Native
American Training Institute,
kicked off the event with a prayer
and a song. Participants learned
how historical wounds affects
their lives today and steps to heal
and stop the trauma cycle.
The session started with an
overview of the experiences of
many Indian Nations since the
time of first contact in 1492. The
history of removal from traditional
lands, forced assimilation, religious
conversion and suppression of
spiritual and cultural practices was
not taught in public schools.
Dereck explained that the
democracy of the United States Our Crazy different ways: a fighter, a leader,
was based on the Six Nations of the Indigenous they are strong, have courage and
Iroquois systems of governance. Life, presented have bravery were the answers. A
In that system, everyone had a by Dereck lot of times, we think of warriors
chance to voice their opinions and Stonefish, as being military people. Warriors
feelings. Consensus was a norm for discussed rose to the occasion and took care
the processes of decision-making in deep trauma of their families, Dereck said.
the Six Nations. Actions on needs, experienced The workshop concluded with
concerns or challenges did not by Native a demonstration of loss in tangible
happen until they were reviewed Americans, form. Dereck asked everyone in
and approved by Clan Mothers. along with the room to take a blank piece of
Imagine if the current democracy healing. Youth paper and divide and tear it into
in the U.S. operated that way today. made drums three equal-size strips. He asked
Ten people arrived on Aug. 2, the last day of the group to write their top three
including several new participants. the workshop. favorite things on each of the strips.
Dereck helped the group Dereck walked around and quickly
understand the historical influences buffalo went down once more; the the last day of training. After took one from each person. He
of tribally connected families. read the strips aloud and asked the
In his talk, he indicated how animal was lifted by the herd to offering a prayer, a colored graphic group how they would feel if they
trauma and repression through its feet. The herd did not give up was displayed on a screen. Dereck had their friends, family, culture,
forced educational practices at on the wounded one. It gathered, explained the graphic. It featured pets and money taken forcibly from
government residential schools supported and lifted the wounded a white bear awake looking up on them. It was a thought-provoking
broke familial connections, one up to help it stay on its feet. one side with a black bear curled way to wrap up the three days.
disrupted natural parenting He told us that at the approach up asleep on the other side. The In the afternoon, youth workers
patterns and resulted in the loss of of a thunderstorm, buffalo nations awake bear is ready to take on the enjoyed a drum-making workshop
many Indian Nation’s languages on the plains gather, group world. The curled up asleep bear hosted by Youth Support Services
and culture. together as one big herd and face is sheltering itself from further Specialist Melanee Stevens from
Dereck told a story about his the storm together. To be strong is trauma of the world. Heritage & Culture, along with
uncle buffalo hunting. He shot a to face things straight on. Dereck told the youth they would two helpers from Centralia Fur
buffalo, the buffalo went down, then Youth workers training be participating in a conversation & Hide. Participants included 13
the herd surrounded the wounded about life and asked them a youth and seven adult helpers. The
one and leveraged it back to its Dereck focused on Chehalis question: “What is a warrior?” youth were fully engaged with their
feet. His uncle shot again and the Tribal Youth Workers on Aug. 3, The youth responded in projects.