Celebrating indigenous wellbeing in Gayogoho:no

One of the biggest challenges anyone in life faces is learning how to love yourself. Perhaps even more so for indigenous people. Historical trauma and racism are real factors in the development of the self esteem of indigenous people in all of North America.

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Monica Williams, recent studies have shown that there are long term serious impacts to a person’s sense of self-worth if they have experienced race based trauma in their lives. These impacts can range from mild insecurities all the way up to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – depending on the circumstances of that race based trauma.

Sadly for the indigenous people of Canada this has been our collective experience. All indigenous people in Canada are somehow impacted by the collective forced conversion to christianity in residential school. The fallout of the abuse, restriction of language and the abduction of children from parents resulted in generation after generation of indigenous people riddled with shame.

Thankfully humanity has grown far enough away from overt institutionalized racism that we have room to begin to overcome our collective trauma and heal within. It takes time and effort – but the payoff of embracing your indigenous identity and loving our indigenous selves is well worth it.

Here are some good words of love from the Gayogoho:nǫˀ language to help you heal, grow in love and celebrate your indigenous identity.

He’s made us all to be something- Dwagwe:gǫh skaodę:ęh shǫgwaehǫ:t. Know that the Creator took great care to bring all your cells together and bring you into the world. Sometimes even when it seems like that may be insignificant, you matter greatly to Him. You absolutely have a purpose.

Things you cannot change- Tę daǫ asagweniˀ ęsahde:ni. Our historical trauma from colonization and residential school is upsetting. It can make you sad, or angry, or even make you feel hopeless at times. And the reality is that we cannot change many things. But another truth is that overcoming great adversity builds exceptional character.

Cry- Desahsętoh. Creator gave us feelings on purpose. Not that they would rule our minds but that we would have release. Someone once said that tears are the ice in your heart melting. Once you look at the trauma of our collective past it is normal to feel sad and shed tears. It is okay to release and cry things out when you need to.

Go for a walk- Desadawęnyeha:. Once you are done crying. Or even if you don’t feel tears at all. Going outside and taking a walk can clear your mind. Breathing in fresh air can elevate your mood and help you think clearly.

Weaknesses- Deogwagwe:nyo:. Everybody has weaknesses. And that is totally okay. Embracing your weaknesses as a lovable part of who you are is one of the hardest and most important parts of celebrating your indigenous identity.

Things that they are good at- Hadiwaehǫh. This is what I can do- Ne: nęgyęˀagegwenǫ:. On the flip side everybody is good at something. Even if it seems like its small.

Recognize Your Strengths- ǫgenohdonheˀ I:s Tsaˀdeyoshahsdehsraˀ. It is totally okay to take pride in something that you are good at. It adds great value to your self-worth to spend a little bit of time every day doing something you are good at.

Talk to a trusted friend or adult to make you feel better- Jadao: ne: gihsęh neˀ sǫga:ah egęhjih neˀ desnitae:ˀ sgę:noˀ ęsęnohdo:nyo:. This is especially important for those times you are feeling down and can’t seem to pick yourself up again. Talking things out with a friend or a counsellor can be life changing. Especially if you are struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety. There is no shame in feeling that way. And there is no shame in admitting you need help.

Self-esteem- Oya:nre dwęnohdonyoh. Facing yourself and embracing yourself will always eventually bring you to a place of self-respect and self-esteem.

Don’t forget what you can do. Take steps to pursue your dream – Ahgwih asenigohǫk dęsegwe:ni she. Probably the most important part. Always remember that you are absolutely capable of doing great things.

All words taken from the Six Nations Health Services Health Promotion Dictionary. For more words of well being in the Gayogoho:nǫˀ or Kanienkehaˀka please visit the Six Nations Health Services website at www.snhs.ca.

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