Cultural Awareness in Trauma-Informed Care: Connecting the Past to the Present for Informed Change in Native American Communities
~by Kathleen Little Leaf, MSW, LAC, SWLC, and owner of Little Leaf Consulting, LLC
& Little Leaf Counseling, LLC
Audience Target: LCPC, LCSW, LAC, LMFT, psychologists, nurses, health providers, service providers, emergency responders, peer support specialists, and educators Kathleen Little Leaf is an enrolled tribal member from the Blackfoot/Blackfeet tribes.
Trauma Informed Care is a knowledge and understanding of the impacts of trauma on one’s life and understanding these effects on people’s lives.
Trauma Informed Care principles allow organizations to reflect on current organizational structure and determine what types of changes can be implemented to better respond to signs and symptoms of trauma amongst those served and avoid re-traumatization.
Trauma Informed Care for Native American communities embraces and distinguishes how cumulative trauma, generational trauma, and racism concerns continue to impact Indigenous people in mind, body and spirit—where these issues can manifest into the social issues and health concerns we have today. It is through understanding historically, holistically, and through awareness we can work together to validate and define trauma informed solutions when serving Native American communities.