Ojibwe journalist Mary Annette Pember visited an Alaskan community to examine historical trauma and mental health practices. She says the troubled lives experienced by many Native Americans is a reflection of our past, citing boarding school as one of many examples. Native American history of displacement, dislocation, and forced removal of children has exacerbated the issue. One of ways people try to deal with this pain is through negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse. Pember believes sharing stories is one way for communities to heal from trauma.
Mary Annette Pember. “3/30/15-Historical trauma affects mental health of today’s Native American.” March 30, 2015. KNBA.org. http://www.knba.org/post/33015-historical-trauma-affects-mental-health-todays-native-american