For the past two years I have been taking courses in Rural Human Services (RHS) through the University of Alaska Fairbanks working toward my Chemical Dependency Counselor certification. RHS credits go far toward my certification at in my workplace, Gunaanasti/Bill Brady Healing Center in Sitka, Alaska.

My practicum project is a video project addressing the issue of Multigenerational Trauma. Multigenerational Trauma (Intergenerational Trauma, Historical Trauma) is not a new field; it was first noticed by therapist who were treating what looked like PTSD symptoms in patients a couple generations after the Jewish Holocaust. As experienced by Native Americans and Alaska Natives:

Historical trauma is sometimes referred to as "multi-generational trauma." It is based on shared experiences by American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people of historic traumatic events like displacement, forced assimilation, language and culture suppression, and boarding schools, and it is passed down through generations. There is a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness associated with historical trauma that contributes to high rates of alcoholism, substance abuse, suicide, and other health issues. Increasingly, AI/AN prevention programs are using culture-based strategies to address the effects of historical trauma in individuals, families, and communities. (from SAMHSA Native American Center for Excellence)

My own effort to address the effects of Historical Trauma in Alaska Natives is a video recording of Tlingit elder, Nels Lawson of Sitka who will describe the effects of Historical Trauma as he experienced them, also including the story of his recovery journey.

Gene Tagaban (Raven Dreaming Productions) has generously given permission to use a recording of his beautiful flute music for background sound. Ellen Frankenstein (Frankenstein Productions) has graciously offered her professional services as the videographer. Ellen has received awards for a number of other documentaries. We begin videotaping tomorrow morning at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, and also at the Naakahidee Community Building. I'm getting so excited at having this video project come to fruition.

 I proposed to end up with a short DVD that can be used in our treatment program for adult Alaska Natives struggling with substance abuse. Our program is culture-based and we address Historical Trauma issues. The DVD will define Historical Trauma, and in his personal story, Nels Lawson will describe how it manifests itself. The DVD emphasizes recovery, because too often we look at definitions and provide information without an emphasis on the recovery aspect. It's easy to get stuck in the victim and blame mode. Hence, my project.

This project is going to be a springboard to a MUCH LARGER one encompassing many stories of recovery gathered from across Alaska. Many Alaska Natives have experienced the effects of Historical Trauma, and they have recovery journeys we need to heart. I foresee a more polished video that documents all these stories of hope, perhaps even a series. I see an interactive website with many downloadable video clips, and written narratives of personal recovery stories.

In order to proceed, I've created a wish list of equipment I still need. I'm so excited!
Recovery is within reach for ANYONE, but sometimes we need to lead our people toward it!