| This thesis explores the meaning of healing within an Aboriginal tradition for individuals of Ojibwa descent. It investigates the roles that spirituality, family and community play in the process of coping with, and healing from trauma. Individuals who have experienced life events they consider traumatic tell their stories and share their understanding of how traditional Native American beliefs and practices contributed to their recovery process. The researcher's personal experiences and perspectives, gained through her own experiences of healing from trauma, her visits to the participants' community over a three year period, and her active participation in their cultural traditions and ceremonies provide a comparative framework.; The research methodology is qualitative using biocalage as its primary means of investigation and drawing on ethnology, Native studies, feminist principle and narrative methods. A model of engagement was used to gather stories from participants and the researcher's field notes were part of the data used for analysis. Informed and process consent were utilized. Data was analysed using a variation of holistic-content analysis. Participants' themes included: reconnection through relationships, belief as a way to reconnect, responsibility, meaning through purpose, spiritual connection through harmony, balance and wholeness. Themes arising from the researcher's experience include: belonging and connection, trust and faith, and endurance and letting go. |
