Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Intergenerational implications of colonization upon the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada have produced ruptures and disconnections from a sold foundation of identity and belonging. Sense of identity, cultural continuity, and belonging are critical to health and wellbeing. This paper will focus on research that explored experiences of individuals who possess both Indigenous (Cree) and non-Indigenous ancestry in the development of their identities. Natural conversations facilitated sitting with and listening to Cree Elders and engaging with mixed-ancestry Cree individuals about the stories of their identities. The overall goal of this research was to create a space for individuals to express the impacts of systems, relationships and the ways in which people come to understand their overall wellbeing and connection to ancestors through stories in personal identity development. Elders shared stories of disconnection and intergenerational experiences that caused diversion from the natural progression of Cree identity development as impacts of colonization. From this they also shared their stories of re-connection and healing. Common experiences expressed by participants highlighted the impact of colonization on their understanding and expression of themselves as individuals and as members of larger community, the complexity that underlies their experiences of identity, and how their understanding of wellbeing is connected to healing. Stories shared processes of healing, decolonization and resurgence of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing in reclamation of self. This presentation will outline the educational opportunities provided through personal stories of decolonization and healing for practitioners working in the field of social work.