The Psychological Impact of Historical Trauma on Native American People Native American historical trauma is similar to other massive generational group traumas. Past examples include the Jewish holocaust, the slavery of the African people in the United States, and the treatment of Japanese Americans in the U.S. during World War II. Understanding the history of Native Americans allows for the design of culturally specific preventative and therapeutic interventions. Contrary to what is taught in modern history books, Native Americans were an advanced culture deeply immersed in their environments. From the invasion by the Spanish in the 1400s to the scorched earth extermination policies of the United States in the 1800s, Native Americans endured attempted genocide, forced relocation and confinement to reservations, and forced assimilation. Historical trauma is generational and dwells deep in the souls of Native American individuals and communities across the United States. For any healing to occur, one must take a close look at the root cause of historical trauma for the Native American people. The focus of this book is to explore and develop ideas that will assist Native Americans in accessing which old ways are too biologically ingrained to do away with and what new ways must be taken on to come to terms with such a massively different environment.
It is essential to understand the environment in which Native American people live, know their history, and see how this history has shaped them. It is equally important to understand and respect their worldview, which describes the thought process of a people or a culture. Native Americans were displaced from their traditional lands, their sacred sites were excavated, and their sacred objects were placed in private collections and museums. Their dead were exhumed from traditional burial sites to make room for ranching and industry. Their artwork was never seen as separate from their culture. It was commercially reproduce
