Indigenous Intergenerational Trauma and Stories of Healing Through Jesus - Decolonizing The Gospel of Christ

Abstract: Through a storytelling/yarning methodology (Bessarab & Ng'andu, 2010) and experience centered narrative research (Patterson, 2008), three Indigenous followers of Jesus and original inhabitants of the lands currently known as Canada, shared their stories of healing. The storytelling/ yarning method (Bessarab & Ng'andu, 2010) is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and fit seamlessly with the participants diverse Indigenous backgrounds and shared oral traditions. Through the experience centered research model, each participant engaged in meaning making of their personal narratives, reconstructed and presented their stories as their human lived experience, and finally, revealed their metamorphosis (Patterson, 2008) and contributions to Indigenous knowledges. The experience centered research framework utilized for knowledge gathering worked concertedly with the storytelling/yarning methodology as the healing stories presented here evolved not as stories of defeat, but of strength (Bessarab & Ng'andu, 2010). Some key teachings and themes arising from their stories include trauma, forgiveness, resilience, family, healing, and hope. This study aims to reveal Indigenous stories of healing and cease the perpetuation of harm to Indigenous peoples who have declared Jesus as their source of healing. Furthermore, this study aims to situate the knowledges gathered through these healing stories within the academic body of Indigenous knowledges. (Mohammed, 2021)

Presenter bio: My name is Dionne A. Mohammed and I am originally from the Indigenous Nation of Statimc on the lands now known as Canada. I also acknowledge my settler roots through my Dad who's origins are English (my Grandfather) and Mauritian (my Grandmother). I obtained a Human Service Diploma and Bachelor of Social Work degree from Thompson Rivers University on the unceded territory of the Secwepemc Peoples (now known as Kamloops, British Columbia). I then went on to complete a Master in Social Work Indigenous Specialization through the University of Victoria on the lands of the WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees), and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples of the Coast Salish Nation. I am a counsellor for Indigenous students and have my own private practice - Embers First People's Counselling. I am also a sessional lecturer in the School of Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. I am also a wife to my supportive husband, Syed, and mother to my four beautiful children.

Affiliation: University of Victoria