Exploring Irish Multigenerational Trauma and Its’ Healing: Lessons from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux)
Author(s)
Kenneth M. Coll,
Brenda Freeman,
Paul Robertson,
Eileen Iron Cloud,
Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dog,
Rick Two Dogs
Affiliation(s)
Boise State University, Boise, USA. Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, USA. Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago, USA. Wakanyeja Pawicayapi (Children First), Inc., Porcupine, USA.
Boise State University, Boise, USA. Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, USA. Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago, USA. Wakanyeja Pawicayapi (Children First), Inc., Porcupine, USA.
ABSTRACT
This exploratory article reviewed the professional literature related to the construct of multigenerational trauma and the importance of cultural identity and practices as healing and protective/resilience factors against such trauma. It also posited that the Irish and the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) of the North American Northern Plains have commonalities; one commonality perhaps being multigenerational trauma (also called historical loss, transgenerational trauma/shame). Emerging evidence about treatment of multiagenerational trauma with the Lakota through implementing their cultural practices and cultural renewal in rural settings are also discussed. Finally, this investigation describes results from a focus group experience with 12 Irish counselors from rural Southeastern Ireland that explored resiliency related to multi- generational trauma using genograms to describe and compare traumatic and resiliency patterns. {Note: This exploratory approach does not include Irish Diaspora (e.g., Irish-Americans, Irish-Australians, and Irish-Canadians)}. It is hoped that based on the results of this approach, further investigations can occur with these populations.
This exploratory article reviewed the professional literature related to the construct of multigenerational trauma and the importance of cultural identity and practices as healing and protective/resilience factors against such trauma. It also posited that the Irish and the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) of the North American Northern Plains have commonalities; one commonality perhaps being multigenerational trauma (also called historical loss, transgenerational trauma/shame). Emerging evidence about treatment of multiagenerational trauma with the Lakota through implementing their cultural practices and cultural renewal in rural settings are also discussed. Finally, this investigation describes results from a focus group experience with 12 Irish counselors from rural Southeastern Ireland that explored resiliency related to multi- generational trauma using genograms to describe and compare traumatic and resiliency patterns. {Note: This exploratory approach does not include Irish Diaspora (e.g., Irish-Americans, Irish-Australians, and Irish-Canadians)}. It is hoped that based on the results of this approach, further investigations can occur with these populations.
Cite this paper
Coll, K. , Freeman, B. , Robertson, P. , Cloud, E. , Cloud Two Dog, E. & Two Dogs, R. (2012). Exploring Irish Multigenerational Trauma and Its’ Healing: Lessons from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). Advances in Applied Sociology, 2, 95-101. doi: 10.4236/aasoci.2012.22013.
Coll, K. , Freeman, B. , Robertson, P. , Cloud, E. , Cloud Two Dog, E. & Two Dogs, R. (2012). Exploring Irish Multigenerational Trauma and Its’ Healing: Lessons from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). Advances in Applied Sociology, 2, 95-101. doi: 10.4236/aasoci.2012.22013.
References
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Archives of Family Medicine, 7, 182-185. doi:10.1001/archfami.7.2.182 [22] F. McCourt (2001). Scraps and leftovers: A meditation. In J. V. Mullin, (Ed.), The Irish Americans (pp. 216-221). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell Publishing. [23] Moane, A. (1994). Trauma and cultural oppression. Journal of Irish Psychology, 35, 261-281. [24] Moodley, R., & West, W. (2005). Integrating traditional healing practices into counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. [25] Morgan, M., & Grube, J. W. (1994). The Irish and alcohol: A classic case of ambivalence. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 15, 390-403. [26] National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2004). Core Clinical Characteristics. [27] O’Grada, C. (1999). Black ’47 and beyond: The great Irish famine in history, economy and memory. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. [28] O’Laoire, L. (2005). Irish music. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (pp. 267-303). 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(1987). The better of two worlds, the worst of two worlds: Reflections on culture and fieldwork among the rural Irish and Pueblo Indians. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 29, 56-75. doi:10.1017/S0010417500014341 [36] Singh, A. N. (1999). Shamans, healing, and mental health. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 8, 131-134. doi:10.1023/A:1022949225965 [37] Stone, J. B. (2003, March). Post colonial stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder: Implications for tribal/native substance abuse, mental health, and dual diagnosis assessment and treatment. Portland, OR: National Indian Child Welfare Association [38] Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (1999). Counseling the culturally different (3rd ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. [39] Thomas, A. J., & Schwarzbaum, S. (2006). Culture and identity: Life stories for counselors and therapists. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. [40] Two Dogs, R. (2007). Personal communication. [41] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001). Mental Health: Culture, race and ethnicity. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [42] Van der Walde, H., Urgenson, F. T., Weltz, S. H., & Hanna, F. J. (2002). Women and alcoholism: A biopsychosocial perspective and treatment approaches. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80, 145- 153. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2002.tb00177.x [43] Van Boheeman-Saaf, C. (1999). Joyce, Derrida, Lacan, and the trauma of history: Reading, narrative and postcolonialism. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [44] Wall, E. (1999). From the sin-é café to the black hills: Notes on the new Irish. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. [45] Whelan, K. (2005). The cultural effects of the Famine. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly, (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (137-156). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [46] Whitbeck, L. B., Adams, G. W., Hoyt, D. R., & Chen, X. (2004). Conceptualizing and measuring historical trauma among American Indian people. American Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 119- 130. doi:10.1023/B:AJCP.0000027000.77357.31 [47] Whitbeck, L. B., Chen, X., Hoyt, D. R., & Adams, G. W. (2004). Discrimination, historical loss and enculturation: Culturally specific risk and resiliency factors for alcohol abuse among American Indians. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 409-418. [48] World Health Organization (2006). www.who.european region [49] Yeh, C. J., Hunter, C. D., Madan-Bahel, A., Chiang, L., & Arora, A. K. (2004). Indigenous and interdependent perspectives of healing: Implications for counseling and research. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82, 410-411. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2004.tb00328.x
[1] American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington DC: Author. [2] Bairner, A. (2005). Irish sport. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (pp. 190-205). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [3] Beals, J. (1997). Psychiatric disorder among American Indian adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36, 1252-1259. doi:10.1097/00004583-199709000-00018 [4] Beiser, M. (1997). Mental health and the academic performance of first nations and majority—culture children. American Orthopsychiatric Association Journal, 68, 455-467. [5] Brave Heart, M. (1999). Gender differences in the historical grief response among the Lakota. Journal of Health and Social Policy, 10, 1-21. doi:10.1300/J045v10n04_01 [6] Brendtro, L. K., Brokenleg, M., & Van Bockern, S. (1998). Reclaiming youth at risk. Bloomington, IN: NES. [7] Coll, K. M., Freeman, B., & Robertson, P. (2005). Nagi Kicopi (Calling the Spirit Back) Evaluation Report. SAMHSA. [8] Cutler, M. (2006). Self-efficacy and resilience among American Indian adults: A study of successful American Indian adult survivors of life stress/trauma. Ph.D. Thesis, Vermillion: University of South Dakota. [9] Fitzgerald, T. (2003). Personal communication. [10] Galvan, F. H., & Caetano, R. (2003). Alcohol use and related problems among ethnic minorities in the United States. Alcohol Research and Health, 27, 87-94. [11] Garrett, M. (1999). Souring on the wings of the eagle. Wellness of Native American high school students. Professional School Counseling, 3, 57-64. [12] Gibbons, L. (2005). Projecting the nation: Cinema and culture. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (206-224). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [13] Giago, T. (2003). Wounded Knee effects still felt. Rapid City Journal, 12, 7. [14] Hayden, T. (1997). Irish hunger. Boulder, CO: Roberts Rinehart Publishers. [15] Ignatiev, N. (1995). How the Irish became white. New York, NY: Routledge. [16] Keneally, T. (1998). The great shame. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [17] Kirkpatrick, V. (2006). Personal communication. [18] Lee, J. (1994). The Irish psyche. Journal of Irish Psychology, 33, 1-20. [19] Levine, J. (2001). Working with victims of persecution: Lessons from Holocaust survivors. Social Work, 46, 350-360. doi:10.1093/sw/46.4.350 [20] Manson, S. (2001). Behavioral health services for American Indians. In M. Dixon and Y. Roubineaux, (Eds.), Promises to keep: Public health policy for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the 21st century (pp. 174-185). Washington DC: American Public Health Association. [21] Marbella, A. M., Harris, M. C., Diehr, S., & Ignace, G. (1998). Use of Native American healers among Native American patients in urban Native American health center. Archives of Family Medicine, 7, 182-185. doi:10.1001/archfami.7.2.182 [22] F. McCourt (2001). Scraps and leftovers: A meditation. In J. V. Mullin, (Ed.), The Irish Americans (pp. 216-221). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell Publishing. [23] Moane, A. (1994). Trauma and cultural oppression. Journal of Irish Psychology, 35, 261-281. [24] Moodley, R., & West, W. (2005). Integrating traditional healing practices into counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. [25] Morgan, M., & Grube, J. W. (1994). The Irish and alcohol: A classic case of ambivalence. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 15, 390-403. [26] National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2004). Core Clinical Characteristics. [27] O’Grada, C. (1999). Black ’47 and beyond: The great Irish famine in history, economy and memory. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. [28] O’Laoire, L. (2005). Irish music. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (pp. 267-303). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [29] O’Tuathaigh, G. (2005). Language, ideology and national identity. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (pp. 42-58). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [30] Padden, M., & Sullivan, R. (1999). May the road rise to meet you: Everything you need to know about Irish American history. New York, NY: Plume. [31] Pupavac, V. (2002). Pathologizing populations and colonizing minds: International psychosocial programs in Kosovo. Alternatives, 27, 489-511. [32] Quinn, D. (2005). It may be forever: An Irish rebel on the American Frontier. Bloomington, IN: Author House. [33] Richeport-Haley, M. (1998). Approaches to madness shared by crosscultural healing systems and strategic family therapy. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 9, 61-75. doi:10.1300/J085V09N04_05 [34] Rogers, K. L., & Leydesdorff, S. (2004). Trauma: Life stories of survivors. New York, NY: Transaction Publishers. [35] Scheper-Hughes, N. (1987). The better of two worlds, the worst of two worlds: Reflections on culture and fieldwork among the rural Irish and Pueblo Indians. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 29, 56-75. doi:10.1017/S0010417500014341 [36] Singh, A. N. (1999). Shamans, healing, and mental health. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 8, 131-134. doi:10.1023/A:1022949225965 [37] Stone, J. B. (2003, March). Post colonial stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder: Implications for tribal/native substance abuse, mental health, and dual diagnosis assessment and treatment. Portland, OR: National Indian Child Welfare Association [38] Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (1999). Counseling the culturally different (3rd ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. [39] Thomas, A. J., & Schwarzbaum, S. (2006). Culture and identity: Life stories for counselors and therapists. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. [40] Two Dogs, R. (2007). Personal communication. [41] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001). Mental Health: Culture, race and ethnicity. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [42] Van der Walde, H., Urgenson, F. T., Weltz, S. H., & Hanna, F. J. (2002). Women and alcoholism: A biopsychosocial perspective and treatment approaches. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80, 145- 153. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2002.tb00177.x [43] Van Boheeman-Saaf, C. (1999). Joyce, Derrida, Lacan, and the trauma of history: Reading, narrative and postcolonialism. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [44] Wall, E. (1999). From the sin-é café to the black hills: Notes on the new Irish. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. [45] Whelan, K. (2005). The cultural effects of the Famine. In J. Cleary, & C. Connolly, (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to modern Irish culture (137-156). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. [46] Whitbeck, L. B., Adams, G. W., Hoyt, D. R., & Chen, X. (2004). Conceptualizing and measuring historical trauma among American Indian people. American Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 119- 130. doi:10.1023/B:AJCP.0000027000.77357.31 [47] Whitbeck, L. B., Chen, X., Hoyt, D. R., & Adams, G. W. (2004). Discrimination, historical loss and enculturation: Culturally specific risk and resiliency factors for alcohol abuse among American Indians. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 409-418. [48] World Health Organization (2006). www.who.european region [49] Yeh, C. J., Hunter, C. D., Madan-Bahel, A., Chiang, L., & Arora, A. K. (2004). Indigenous and interdependent perspectives of healing: Implications for counseling and research. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82, 410-411. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2004.tb00328.x