Science has shown the connection between trauma and illness, and how it affects our minds, bodies, and genes. The science of epigenetics proposes that trauma experienced by ancestors is passed through genes and this impacts how someone reacts to trauma and stress. However, this is not news in Indian Country where people are wondering what took so long for science to catch up with traditional Native American knowledge. Trauma being passed down through generations is common in Native American folklore. Meanwhile science and Native communities are beginning to understand the full scope of the impact of this type of trauma.
Source: Mary Annette Pember. “Trauma May Be Woven Into DNA of Native Americans. October 3, 2017. Indian Country Today. https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/trauma-may-be-woven-into-dna-of-native-americans-CbiAxpzar0WkMALhjrcGVQ/