6. The Healing Ritual of Storytelling
Storytelling is a healing ritual amongst Indigenous people.
In a culturally safe environment (e.g. healing circle), Indigenous people can share experiences by telling their Story (which is often a trauma Story), help each other come to terms with the emotional pain caused by what has happened to them in their past, and make sense of their personal story in relationship to the collective, communal Story.
7. Pride in Surviving Colonisation
Learning history from an Indigenous perspective, illustrating how conditions for social and psychological discontent have developed, helps Indigenous people understand why they have problems.
It also shows them that they retain the necessary agency to change their lives for the better. It helps them deal with shame and blame, factors that impact negatively on social and emotional wellbeing.
8. Connecting to Culture
Connecting indigenous people to their culture is key for healing to occur. When these connections are strong, Indigenous people gain a sense of who they are and where they belong.
Culture provides meaning and purpose to life and a sense of wellbeing. Identifying and preserving culture gives indigenous people a sense of pride and hope of a positive future. All these elements facilitate healing and enhance resilience.
9. Relationship to Land & Country
Land to indigenous people is a major part of their identity and spirituality. They have a connection and sense of belonging to their land. They gain their strength through their land and country.
Land has recuperative aspects that are essential to Indigenous wellbeing. Land is a powerful healer. By taking Indigenous land and destroying sacred sites, governments are destroying Indigenous health and wellbeing.
10. Holistic View of Health and Wellbeing
Society must recognise, and utilise the Indigenous holistic view of health and wellbeing that incorporates the physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, social and environmental. It does not just focus on the individual, but also on the health and wellbeing of the community.
This view is far richer than, and superior to, the western concept of mental health, which comes from an illness or clinical perspective.
