Cree Dueker

PSY 410
Professor Ryan
11 May 2015
My Definition of Cultural Healing Process
The cultural healing process is a complex issue that is being faced by many native
communities in our present time. It involves coming together as a community and using their
own specific culture and traditions to engage in intentional healing. This healing process is
accessible not only to individuals but to groups as well. Cultural healing processes may be an
integral part of personal health depending on the individuals involvement in their community as
well as their need to feel part of something larger. In order for this process to truly be effective it
must be specific to each tribal nation.
As an example of this type of healing process impacting the individual there are tribes in
Arizona which greet each day by running at dawn. This not only is impactful on their spiritual
well beings but also in making sure their physical bodies are healthy. There are also more PanIndian activities such as Talking Circles which give space to those who need a confidential
cultural healing outlet for their thoughts and emotions. Another inter-tribal event would be
PowWows which are usually pretty large cultural events where community members gather to
share food, crafts, dance, and drum among their community. It is a space where elders and
veterans can be honored for their contributions to the community as well as dancers and
drummers showcasing their talent and honoring and engaging in their culture through tradition.
Among these different ways of practicing cultural healing is also herbal or plant based
medicines and therapy, traditional diets, living in harmony with the earth, ceremonies and
prayer. Tribes also utilize storytelling as an art of healing. Stories are used to teach positive
behaviors as well as the consequences of bad behavior. Traditional ways of knowledge and
health have provided sketches for how we must live today but balancing the modern and
traditional ways of life can be difficult and lead to adverse effects on health. The individual must
become a part of their community if they wish to find their balance and maintain health.
Cultural healing processes are used to embrace the individual while encompassing them
into the community. Cultural traditions and practices serve many purposes including defining
and creating a community in different spaces. These practices have healing qualities which help
people make connections with themselves and their own cultural identity as well as helping to
give the individual a sense of belonging and to strengthen their ideas on personal identity and
purpose. Exploring our own cultural identity and traditional knowledge can make important
contributions to recovery and therapy as well as general well being.