June 15, 2021|Indigenous Mental Health
The ripple effect of trauma is felt long after the traumatic event occurs. This is true for any form of trauma, but it is especially true in the case of trauma caused by residential schools.
Trauma is the psychological and emotional equivalent of a physical wound. When a deeply distressing event occurs, it can change our brain chemistry and structure, seriously impacting our ability to function and think the way we normally would.
Just as treatment is required to heal from a physical wound, our minds require treatment to heal from and overcome psychological trauma.
There are a couple of reasons why residential school survivors are prone to experiencing prolonged, chronic mental health concerns related to their trauma. Let’s take a closer look at these reasons.
The Complexity of Trauma Caused By Residential Schools
1. Cultural Genocide
The historical trauma Indigenous people experienced did not only occur on an individual basis— it impacted an entire race of people. Indigenous communities across Canada were forced to assimilate with a culture that wasn’t their own, which severed their ties with their traditions, language, values, and customs.
For this reason, the cumulative consequences of Canadian residential schools on survivors, their families, and their communities are immeasurable. Healing needs to occur not only on an individual basis but on a large scale through nationwide education and empowerment initiatives.
2. Internalized Racism
When people of a specific ethnicity have been marginalized and discriminated against—especially if this treatment has occurred over an extended period of time—they may begin to (consciously or subconsciously) hate themselves or begin to believe the views of their oppressors.
Internalized racism is common amongst residential school survivors and Indigenous communities as a whole because of how severely their race and culture has been invalidated, stereotyped, and discriminated against.
Indigenous people who are experiencing internalized racism may:
- Believe there is something wrong with being Indigenous or non-Caucasian
- Struggle with low self-esteem or even self-hatred
- Feel there is no hope for opportunity or success in their lives
- Be convinced they have to “act white” to get ahead or avoid exclusion, discrimination, or hate
- Believe they are broken, inadequate, or inferior in some way (in comparison to other races)
Addressing internalized racism is an essential part of Indigenous healing and one of the many facets of the trauma caused by residential schools in Canada.
3. Intergenerational Impact
The impact of Canadian residential schools didn’t end with those who were forcibly enrolled in them— it trickled down into the lives of their Indigenous children and into the lives of other family members too.
Because so many residential school survivors returned home without the knowledge, support, or coping skills to heal from the trauma they experienced, they passed their trauma on to others in the form of alcohol and substance use dependency, anger disorders, irritability, and emotionally detached parenting (among other expressions).
This is another reason why the pain Indigenous people experience is so complex, and why trauma-informed care is necessary in order for healing to take place.
The Psychological Impact of Trauma Caused By Residential Schools
Many residential school survivors live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their experience, while others suffer from chronic depression, anxiety, insomnia, or alcohol and substance use dependency.
This is because trauma typically causes the mind to operate from one of two mental states:
1. A Dissociated State
In this state of mind, a traumatized individual is able to recall events from their past in a very matter-of-fact manner, often seeming detached from reality or their own lived experiences. This is a subconscious coping mechanism that allows the survivor to avoid unwanted or uncomfortable feelings by allowing them to view the experiences as if they happened to someone else.
2. A Triggered State
In a triggered state of mind, a trauma survivor will experience the pain, fear, and agony of a past traumatic event as if it is currently happening to them. These body memories or flashbacks are incredibly real to the survivor and can result in panic attacks, anger outbursts, hallucinations, or isolating as a means of avoiding potentially triggering situations.
With the help of trauma-informed care, Indigenous people can learn to recognize the warning signs of their own trauma expressions, build emotional and psychological resilience, develop more trusting relationships with healthcare providers, and improve long-term health outcomes— all of which ultimately result in the individual operating from a healthier and less distressed state of mind.
How to Be an Ally to Residential School Survivors as a Non-Indigenous Canadian
If you are a non-Indigenous Canadian who is interested in supporting and standing in solidarity with Indigenous people, I encourage taking the following steps:
- Visibly model how to treat others with respect in all social interactions
- Take a stand and be firm when you notice discrimination, stereotyping, microaggressions, or misinformation in your daily interactions with others— even when you’re scared
- Educate your children about oppression (how it works and why it occurs) so they have a foundational understanding at an early age
- Accept that educating yourself is an ongoing process and engage in continuous research
- Recognize and respect that Indigenous Peoples have ownership, control, access, and possession of their information, knowledge, experiences, and stories
What Next?
If you are an Indigenous person who has been impacted by trauma caused by residential schools, you can call the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310.
If you are an organization that’s interested in educating your team members about trauma and mental health first aid, why not book a training session for your team today?
If you are an individual seeking more information about the history of residential schools so you can better understand and be an ally to Indigenous people, I highly encourage reading Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools.