"Without roofs are the houses" : an exploration of ceremonies in indigenous communities, a pathway to healing and to the forgotten

Alternative Title

Ceremonies in indigenous communities, a pathway to healing and to the forgotten

Author

Denis C. Vidal, Smith College

Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Mixed method

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Indians of North America-Rites and ceremonies-Psychological aspects, Indians of North America-Mental health, Mental depression-Alternative treatment, Intergenerational relations, Settler colonial trauma, Cross-generational trauma, Indigenous ceremony, Cultural reclamation

Abstract

Settler colonialism is often cited as the foundation for a myriad of social problems such as psychopathological stress in Indigenous communities. This research study explores how culturally syntonic interventions such as sacred ancestral ceremonies can alleviate acute symptoms of anxiety and depression. The experiences of eleven people of Indigenous heritage who live in the Southwest and had participated in sacred ancestral ceremonies were interviewed in an attempt to better understand the potential healing properties of these ceremonies. The participants all self-reported a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms as measured before and after participating in the ceremonies.

Language

English

Comments

73 unnumbered pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Recommended Citation

Vidal, Denis C., ""Without roofs are the houses" : an exploration of ceremonies in indigenous communities, a pathway to healing and to the forgotten" (2017). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1925