Date of Award
5-2023
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Lim, Caroline
Abstract
Purpose: This study’s purpose was to explore Indigenous women’s perspectives and use of Traditional healing practices. As Indigenous women experience a disproportionate amount of trauma compared to other populations, this study sought to understand the preferred methods of healing among Indigenous women. This study answers the following question: What are Indigenous women’s perspectives about and applications of Traditional healing practices?
Methods: Through a constructivist research design, the researcher can listen and document various definitions and examples of Traditional pathways to healing. The different worldviews and differences between Indigenous and Western approaches to healing is explored as is whether it is beneficial if the two approaches are combined? The researcher used the qualitative methods of building rapport, interviewing, and working collaboratively towards conjoint constructs. Data recording included note taking during and after interviews. Emails or follow up Zoom calls were used to verify data collected. The dissemination of findings were tailored to the targeted audiences. A combination of academic and professional approaches were used with the gatekeepers. Research partners collaborated and participated in all means of dissemination of findings.
Findings: The findings of this study uncovered five salient themes: Indigenous women use a variety of Traditional ceremonies and practices for healing; loss and grief are motivating factors for Indigenous women to pursue healing through Traditional means; collective healing is important to Indigenous women; Indigenous women use Western healing practices alongside their preferred Traditional methods; and Traditional healing ceremonies are passed on generationally. Unanimously, the Indigenous participants in this study found Traditional practices to be vital, especially by keeping them connected to culture, identity, collective healing, and a sense of interconnectedness, including with family, other Tribal members, the ancestors, the land, and the elements.
Implications: This study partnered with Indigenous women to encourage macro policy changes in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Dependency Court systems to incorporate Traditional healing practices as part of services offered to Native families adapted into their Court-ordered case plan services. At the micro level, this study could help inform social workers about the various forms of healing and trauma that are relevant to Indigenous women.
Recommended Citation
Mariano-Grise, Lisa, "INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND TRADITIONAL PATHS TO HEALING" (2023). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1720.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1720