Chapter 2 64
Chapter 3 A New Model: <strong>Historic</strong> <strong>Trauma</strong> Transmission (HTT) This study proposes a new model of historic trauma transmission to create a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the aetiology of social <strong>and</strong> cultural diffusion that devastated <strong>Aboriginal</strong> communities for so many years. In this model, historic trauma is understood as a cluster of traumatic events <strong>and</strong> as a causal factor operating in many different areas of impact; not a disease itself. Hidden collective memories of this trauma, or a collective non-remembering, is passed from generation to generation, just as the maladaptive social <strong>and</strong> behavioural patterns are the symptoms of many different social disorders caused by the historic trauma. According to the proposed model, there is no single historical trauma response (HTR) (proposed by Yellow Horse Brave Heart); rather, there are different social disorders with respective clusters of symptoms. Social disorders are understood as repetitive maladaptive social patterns that occur in a group of people <strong>and</strong> are associated with a significantly increased risk of suffering, (for example, post-traumatic stress disorder, disassociative disorders, etc.). A symptom is understood as a manifestation of maladaptive social patterns, (for example, suicide, domestic violence, sexual abuse, interpersonal maladjustment). Symptoms are not caused by the trauma itself; the historic trauma disrupts adaptive social <strong>and</strong> cultural patterns <strong>and</strong> transforms them into maladaptive ones that manifest themselves in symptoms. In short, historic trauma causes deep breakdowns in social functioning that may last for many years, decades or even generations. The clusters of symptoms associated with specific disorders that manifest themselves as a result of historic trauma may be passed to next generations in a form of socially learned behavioural patterns. In a sense, symptoms that parents exhibit (family violence, sexual abuse) act as a trauma <strong>and</strong> disrupt adaptive social adjustments in their children. In turn, these children internalize these symptoms <strong>and</strong>, not to trivialize, catch a “trauma virus” <strong>and</strong> fall ill to one of the social disorders. In the next generation, the process perpetuates itself. In this sense, White Hat (The Circle, 2001) was correct in stating the trauma continues: the trauma, understood as a relentless causal agent. Yellow Horse Brave Heart (1999) describes it as: With the break-up of the extended family, many indigenous women found they had no role models to teach them parenting skills. As many Native people were raised in boarding schools, the traditional roles <strong>and</strong> ways of parenting by both Native men <strong>and</strong> women were lost. The attitudes <strong>and</strong> norms, which then sprang up in parenting styles, such as harsh physical punishment, emotional ab<strong>and</strong>onment, lack of parental involvement, <strong>and</strong> insensitivity to children’s needs added to imbalance in the family. As generations continued with these ways of parenting, the trauma was passed down until many believe it has become a cycle of despair <strong>and</strong> desperation (1999:70). The model describes possible social <strong>and</strong> psychological manifestations of historic trauma, bringing together findings from recent psychological <strong>and</strong> sociological research. Next, it describes the modes <strong>and</strong> channels of transmission through which the trauma experienced by previous generations of <strong>Aboriginal</strong> people enters their “here-<strong>and</strong>-now.” Finally, it discusses the possible implications the model may have on devising more culturally-appropriate healing strategies for <strong>Aboriginal</strong> people in Canada. 65
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Table of Contents Historic Trauma a
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Table of Contents Definitions------
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Definitions This glossary of terms
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Executive Summary This study propos
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Introduction [A] healing ritual cha
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Introduction This concept involves
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Introduction Once the physical make
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Introduction Many historical facts
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Chapter 1 Historical Background Eur
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