Nawh whu’nus’en – We see in two worlds: Trauma sensitive practices for collectively healing in relationship (Level 1)

This learning activity is based on a widely accepted understanding that trauma-sensitive practices are the basis for offering culturally-safe and respectful health services for Indigenous relatives. It draws on two-eyed seeing models, weaving together Indigenous ways of knowing with western trauma theory and neuroscience. It blends Dr. Michael Yellowbird’s work around neuro decolonization, Dr. Stephen Porges’ contributions around polyvagal trauma theory, and experiential Indigenous land-based healing practices to highlight the power of ceremony for reclaiming and maintaining wellness in body, mind and spirit.

Waziyatawin, Yellow Bird M. For Indigenous Minds Only: A Decolonization Handbook. Santa Fe: School of American Research; 2012.

Porges S. Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety. Frontiers in integrative neuroscience. 2022; 16: 871227-871227.

This curriculum consists of three consecutive levels. Registration is currently open for Level 1. You can choose to participate only in Level 1 or continue to Levels 2 and/or 3 once registration opens. Each level is a prerequisite for the level that follows.

Level 1 – Online introductory session (3 hours)

• Provides a brief overview and offers context for why this work is important, including past and present forms of oppression and genocide that caused Indigenous Peoples’ collective and individual, intergenerational trauma.
• Explains what trauma is and how it shows up in medical settings.
• Introduces foundational concepts in land-based healing, neuro decolonization and polyvagal theory.
• Explores implications of polyvagal theory for health care providers, patients and communities through sharing case examples and minor demonstrations
• Explores the power of co-regulation through Indigenous and trauma-sensitive practices, which physician learners can use moving forward in hospital and office settings.
• Provides space for discussion and questions.

Level 2 – Online in-depth sessions (three successive 2-hour sessions)

• Deeper dive into trauma, trauma-informed care, and somatic practice
• Practice of self-regulation
• Case studies
• Demonstrations of working with various survival physiology responses
• Ways trauma presents
• Shame
• Colonial mindset and colonial worldview

Level 3 – In-person land-based session (6-hour day)

• Nation-specific training developed in collaboration with and direction from Elders and community members
• Experiential land-based healing practices

• Learn tangible trauma-sensitive practices for offering health care rooted in cultural understanding and safety for Indigenous Peoples
• Strengthen appreciation of ancestral land-based healing modalities that have supported trauma release for millennia
• Understand polyvagal theory and its implications for supporting trauma recovery with Indigenous relatives
• Deepen empathy and co-regulatory skills as a way of dismantling racism in the health care system and contributing to collective healing

Level 1 session is available to currently practicing medical professionals who serve rural BC. Completion of Level 1 is a prerequisite for enrolling in Level 2 or 3 of this curriculum.

Elder Cheryl Schweizer is a member of Tl’azt’en Nation and Frog clan. She has six children and twelve grandchildren. Elder Cheryl has been with the UBC CPD since 2020 to assist in the work on cultural safety and humility in rural BC along with Dr. Elder Roberta Price. Elder Cheryl also sits on the Provincial Elder Perinatal Substance Use Project committee where she supported the development of the Elders Visioning Perinatal Substance Use Elders Information Handbook. She also sits on the Elders Advisory Table with Community Living BC and was elected to the Prince George Native Friendship board as an Elder. She has worked closely with Elders since early 2000.

Dr. Rahul Gupta is a settler born on the lands of the Anishinaabe people and now lives and works on the ancestral and unceded lands of the shíshálh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations. He works as an integrative medical physician, professional coach, mindfulness instructor, and advocate for provider wellness. He also is a Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner and integrates trauma-sensitive approaches into all trainings. He has over 18 years of supporting healthcare providers and teams in cultivating compassionate self & situational awareness. 

N’alaga (Avis O’Brien) is a Haida and Kwakwaka’wakw artist and consultant specializing in practices of decolonization through land-based healing practices, cedar bark weaving, and a lifetime of experience as a Haida & Kwakwaka’wakw woman navigating the world. N’alaga has dedicated years to preserving her cultural teachings by continuing the work of her ancestors and creating safe spaces for Indigenous people to learn, heal, and reclaim empowered states of being. N’alaga offers trauma sensitive, culturally safe processes for suicide and relapse prevention through an Indigenous lens.  

Harley Eagle is Indigenous of Dakota & Ojibway ancestry originally from Saskatchewan. He has lived with his family at different times for over 25 years on Vancouver Island and is currently residing in the Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks Peoples.  He is an Indigenous Cultural Safety consultant who facilitates workshops and sessions that explore and build a foundation of understanding that includes, an Indigenous perspective on Colonization, Addressing Systemic Racism & Trauma-Informed Practice. He also consultants with many organizations across several societal sectors to strengthen their Indigenous Cultural Safety capacity.