This powerful article addresses a broad ranges of issues including historical trauma across generations, substance abuse, poverty, and healing practices. For example tribal communities can revitalize their culture by hosting traditional dances, drumming and singing circles, and quilting and weaving groups to occupy social spaces formerly held by substance abuse. The CEO of a Native American organization in Seattle offers another alternative. He says there are 4 ways of dealing with oppression, with number four being the best option: 1) assimilation (taking on the form of the oppressor); 2) resignation (giving up, alcoholism, apathy, drug use); 3) violent conflict (adversarial politics); and 4) c0-creating together (working with the dominant culture to create a new future while keeping tribal values and traditions alive).
Source: Craig Lambert. “Trail of Tears, and Hope.” March-April, 2008. Harvard Magazine. https://harvardmagazine.com/2008/03/trails-of-tears-and-hope
