Historical Trauma, Race-Based Trauma, and Resilience of Indigenous Peoples: A Literature Review

This literature review examines the various responses to trauma suffered by Indigenous peoples as a result of governmental policies geared toward assimilation. Both traumatic and resilient responses are demonstrated at the individual, family, and community levels. Much of the research that has been...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:First Peoples Child & Family Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Honouring the Voices, Perspectives, and Knowledges of First Peoples
Main Authors: Fast, Elizabeth, Collin-Vézina, Delphine
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1071294ar
https://doi.org/10.7202/1071294ar
Description
Summary:This literature review examines the various responses to trauma suffered by Indigenous peoples as a result of governmental policies geared toward assimilation. Both traumatic and resilient responses are demonstrated at the individual, family, and community levels. Much of the research that has been done in the United States to develop theories around historical trauma and race-based traumatic stress may also be applied to Canada’s First Nations due to similar histories of oppression and colonization. Overall, the research finds that self-government and a connection to culture and spirituality result in better outcomes for Indigenous peoples.