By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
Trust and respect are a big part of healing, especially in Indian country.
American Indians today are still feeling the repercussions of a long history of trauma and abuse of their people, health care professionals said this week at a healing conference in Skagit County.
Mental health experts in this area are now learning how to reach out and care for American Indians with the help of the North Sound Regional Support Network. The network presented the conference, titled the Year of the Tribal Generations.
Indian history includes children who were separated from their families and sent to boarding schools, relocation of families, sterilization of some Indian women, mass executions and scalp bounties, said Sharri Dempsey, tribal liaison with the network.
As a result, Indians experienced shame, trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments, Dempsey said.
And the same symptoms persist in today’s generations, she said.
"Most of it is generational and keeps on giving — unfortunately," Dempsey said. "They forgot how to be parents in their old ways; the children didn’t learn parenting. There’s lots and lots of fear and shame when you’ve been conquered like the Native Americans."
Nowadays, tribes are providing alcohol and chemical dependency treatment, mental illness treatment and reclaiming traditional values and ways.
"We have to be promoting positive health," said Ray Fryberg of the Tulalip Tribes near Marysville. Healing efforts on the Tulalip reservation include counseling, traditional healing such as sweat lodges and a culture club for youngsters.
"We want to set … an old standard that deals with respect," Fryberg said. "(We need to) implement strengths of culture back into our community. That amounts to truth and trust — not only in the field of mental health, but everything."
About 260 professionals attended the conference, which included sessions on healing sexually abused children, post-traumatic stress disorder, culture perspectives on tribal mental health and stopping violence against American Indian women.
Participants included Indians from various tribes and non-Indians who work as mental health professionals, counselors, attorneys and teachers.
The North Sound Region, which includes Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties, is one of 14 statewide mental health groups established by the state Department of Social and Health Services. It is the only one that has a tribal liaison or tribal outreach programs, even though most regions include more than one tribe.
Many give kudos for making that happen to Dempsey, an American Indian who has worked in mental health and chemical dependency counseling for years.
The three tribes located in Snohomish County are the Tulalips, Stillaguamish and the Sauk-Suiattle.
The main theme at the conference was about healing today’s Indians so future generations can be strong and healthy.
Pam James of the Confederated Tribes of Colville said American Indians need to know their history and understand the past, but re-examine the future.
American Indians need not get stuck in the blame, shame and guilt of the past, she said.
She challenged participants to be wellness warriors and make a commitment to do good today that will affect seven generations of people.
"We are self-destructing," she said. "We have to change that, or there will be no more tribes."
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455
or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
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