Cycle of trauma from residential schools lasts for generations

Summary

This video explores the enduring impact of residential school trauma on Indigenous families in Canada. It highlights the intergenerational effects of abuse, particularly the struggles of children of survivors, such as Adam North Peigan, who faced anger, resentment, and addiction. Experts like Amy Bombay and Suzanne Stewart explain how childhood trauma disrupts stress responses, leading to long-term health issues and perpetuating cycles of violence, addiction, and poverty. The narrative emphasizes the need for understanding the root causes of social issues affecting Indigenous communities and calls for recognition of their pain and history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The trauma of residential schools has been passed down through generations, affecting the children and grandchildren of survivors.
• 😀 Adam North Peigan didn't know his parents were residential school survivors, which impacted his upbringing and understanding of family dynamics.
• 😀 Many Indigenous children raised by trauma-stricken parents experienced abandonment when placed in foster care, leading to deep feelings of anger and resentment.
• 😀 Adam North Peigan's destructive behavior, including heavy drinking, stemmed from his unresolved trauma and resentment towards his parents.
• 😀 In Canada, there is a lack of understanding regarding the root causes of trauma in Indigenous communities, particularly regarding residential school survivors.
• 😀 Amy Bombay, an expert in intergenerational trauma, emphasizes the importance of recognizing how past abuses continue to affect Indigenous people today.
• 😀 Chronic stress caused by childhood trauma disrupts the body's stress response, leading to long-term health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart attacks.
• 😀 Persistent high cortisol levels, as a result of childhood abuse, can also increase the risk of depression, mental illness, and lower immune function.
• 😀 Psychologist Suzanne Stewart explains how the cycle of trauma can perpetuate violence, addiction, and poverty across generations, requiring five to six generations to heal.
• 😀 Adam North Peigan’s journey of understanding his family’s trauma helped him unravel layers of systemic racism, and he now advocates for better awareness of Canada's history.
• 😀 Indigenous people are not inherently inclined to social or addiction problems; rather, these issues stem from deep-rooted historical trauma that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.

Q & A

What impact did the abuse of residential school survivors have on their children and grandchildren?

The abuse experienced by residential school survivors led to intergenerational trauma, meaning that their children and grandchildren inherited the effects of that trauma, often resulting in ongoing social issues such as addiction, violence, and poverty.

How did Adam North Peigan feel about his parents growing up?

Adam North Peigan grew up without any recollection of his parents, and later discovered that they were residential school survivors. This lack of parental role models led him to feel abandoned, which fueled anger and resentment towards his parents.

How did Adam's anger and resentment affect his life?

Adam's anger and resentment towards his parents were destructive, leading him down a path of heavy drinking, which became a coping mechanism for the trauma he experienced.

Why does Amy Bombay believe it's important to understand intergenerational trauma?

Amy Bombay studies intergenerational trauma and emphasizes the importance of understanding how past abuse affects Indigenous people today. She explains that recognizing this trauma is critical for addressing its long-term impact on the mental and physical health of subsequent generations.

How does stress and trauma affect the body according to the reporter?

When a person experiences stress, the body releases cortisol, which increases blood sugar to help cope with stressful situations. However, chronic abuse in childhood can disrupt the stress response, leading to consistently high cortisol levels, which contribute to long-term health problems like hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain, and heart attacks.

What long-term mental health effects are linked to childhood trauma?

Childhood trauma can increase the risk of depression and other mental health issues, lower resilience, and weaken the immune system, which further contributes to chronic stress and health complications.

What does Suzanne Stewart say about the cycle of trauma?

Suzanne Stewart explains that trauma can create a complex, cyclical pattern that may span multiple generations. This cycle often perpetuates issues like violence, addiction, and poverty, making it harder for future generations to heal without intervention.

How long does it typically take for trauma to heal within a family or community?

It usually takes about 5 to 6 generations for the original trauma to heal within a family or community, unless it is interrupted by current, ongoing traumas.

What role did Adam North Peigan's mother play in his healing process?

Adam's mother began sharing stories about her own experiences, which helped him unravel the layers of trauma and systemic racism he had inherited. These stories became an important part of his healing journey.

What is Adam North Peigan's message to the public regarding Indigenous people?

Adam hopes to raise awareness about the historical trauma faced by Indigenous people and wants others to understand that social problems, such as addiction, have deep-rooted causes. He stresses that Indigenous people are good people and their struggles are the result of historical and ongoing injustices.