© The Biidaaban Healing Lodge 2011 Wednesday, October 13, 2010 WORKSHOP SUMMARY *FROM LEGACY TO CHOICE:  Healing Effects of Generational Trauma on Individuals, Families & Communities* Jane Middleton-Moz When generational traumas, such as war, genocide, oppression, poverty, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, death or loss of parents or siblings, residential schools, and institutionalization,  alcoholism, and substance abuse, are not grieved and healed by individuals, families and communities, the effects of unresolved trauma are carried into the next generation.  Individuals suffer from  anniversary dates, cultural identity, low self-esteem, hypervigilance and inability to perform healthy  relationships.  Families have communication breakdown, increased domestic violence, shaming and  sexual abuse, with healthy rituals for grieving, celebration, and rights of passage being lost.  Isolation  builds between family members.  Community members begin to isolate from one another and  frequently experience increased apathy, substance abuse, trauma and suicide epidemics among the  youth.  Signs of lateral violence such as family feuds, religious wars, competitiveness, gossip, and  bloodism develop between members of the community, furthering the isolation and preventing steps toward healing. When communities begin to understand the effects of generational trauma, a process of validation and healing can begin.  Individuals, Families and Communities can begin a process of empowerment and  recovery.  In this workshop the effect of generational trauma will be explored as well as the resiliency of individuals, and the steps necessary for comprehensive healing. The focus of this workshop will be on healing: understanding the effects of trauma, feeling the pain,  reconnecting with the strength of community and validating the strength of culture and resiliency in  Individuals, Families and Communities   OBJECTIVES: 1. To understand the effects of generational traumas on individuals and communities. 2. To explore the dynamics of oppression as foundations of addictions, domestic violence, apathy,  anniversary cycles, learned helplessness, loss of ritual, and lateral violence. 3. To explore unhealthy community norms that has developed as a result of historical trauma. 4. To explore healthy resiliency characteristics that are present in individuals and in the community. 5. Steps in rebuilding healthy communities – breaking the cycle of dysfunction and reconnecting the hoop.      GOALS: 1. Present historical origins of dysfunction and self-hate in communities 2. Present the effects of historical trauma and oppression on individuals, families and communities. 3. Explore healthy and unhealthy norms existing within communities. 4. Exploring interventions and steps in rebuilding healthy community.