koskon âtâyohkan: Healing the integration of intergenerational trauma and addictions

Abstract

This qualitative research delved into the recovery experiences from substance use disorder among nine Indigenous participants with co-occurring intergenerational trauma (IGT). Prompted by the health disparities Indigenous people face, particularly from the lingering trauma of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system, the study aimed to understand the intersection of IGT with addiction recovery. The absence of culturally congruent treatment initiatives in current approaches necessitates this exploration. Utilizing the Nêhiýaw Methodological Framework grounded in phenomenology, participants’ narratives were summarized, unveiling their lived experiences of trauma and its intergenerational impacts. The discovery of the recovery processes, termed “miskamowin,” is illustrated through three pathways: pîkwêyihtamowin describes the anguish linked to intergenerational trauma and addiction, koskon âtâyohkan is the shift towards Indigenous trauma care, and miyo pimâtisiwin is the pursuit of a good life mindful of intergenerational cycles. Findings highlighted the inadequacies of Western policy approaches and treatment models in addressing the unique challenges Indigenous communities face. Participants favoured Indigenous-centric solutions, underscoring the importance of culturally informed recovery processes. As a response, the research proposes the “Ôskimacîtahowin: A New Beginning” model—a holistic approach rooted in Indigenous wisdom, traditions, and ceremonies. This model emphasizes the necessity of a policy shift towards Indigenous-led, community-based, and spiritually anchored treatments, aiming to create a trauma-informed future for Indigenous people in Canada.