Decolonizing Trauma Work Quotes

“It is widely recognized that Indigenous peoples are often not well served by Western treatment styles and those seeking help are often confronted with more alienation and traumatization.

Sones et al. point out that data regarding the mental health and wellness of Indigenous peoples is lacking "partly because of the challenges in the identification of indigenous clients, mistrust of mainstream health, frequent absence of culturally competent care, and lack of access to indigenous healing options and care.

Furthermore, culturally influenced Indigenous behaviour is often misinterpreted by Western-oriented clinicians as evidence of psychopathy.”
― Renee Linklater, Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies

“Duran argues for the need for healing institutions to retain culturally competent staff and that the adherence to strictly Western models of treatment maintains the colonization process. Hodge, Limb, and Cross claim that the Western therapeutic project is inconsistent with many Indigenous cultures and often serves as a form of Western colonization.”
― Renee Linklater, Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies

“Implying that realities are merely psychotic experiences or that they exist in a realm that is not legitimate disregards Indigenous belief systems, which value spiritual experiences and recognize the impact of ancestral trauma”
― Renee Linklater, Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies