What We Carry for Our Ancestors: Intergenerational Healing | Serene Thin Elk | TEDxSiouxFalls

Short Summary:

This talk explores the concept of intergenerational trauma and healing, focusing on the experiences of Indigenous people in the United States. It emphasizes the impact of historical trauma, particularly the boarding school era, on the emotional and psychological well-being of generations. The speaker, Serene Thin Elk, shares her personal journey of healing and the importance of acknowledging and addressing intergenerational trauma through individual and collective efforts. She highlights the role of epigenetics in understanding how trauma can be passed down through generations and the power of community in facilitating healing. The talk concludes with a call to action, encouraging individuals to confront their own internalized trauma and find ways to honor their ancestors through their own lives.

Detailed Summary:

1. Introduction and Personal Journey:

Serene Thin Elk begins by acknowledging her Lakota heritage and the importance of speaking her native language as a revolutionary act against assimilation.
She shares a personal dream that provided insight into her path towards healing, depicting a powerful woman guiding her through a symbolic wave representing the collective trauma experienced by her people.
This dream highlights the concept of intergenerational trauma and its impact on individual and collective well-being.

2. Understanding Intergenerational Trauma:

The speaker defines intergenerational trauma as the passing down of trauma from one generation to the next, both biologically and behaviorally.
She explains how historical trauma, specifically the boarding school era, has deeply impacted Indigenous communities, leading to widespread issues like alcoholism, suicide, and poverty.
The boarding school system is presented as a prime example of how forced assimilation and abuse can create lasting trauma that affects generations.

3. The Impact of Historical Trauma:

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context to address the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
She describes the "kill the Indian, save the man" mentality that fueled the boarding school system and the resulting internalized oppression and lateral oppression within Indigenous communities.
The concept of epigenetics is introduced, explaining how environmental events can leave imprints on our genetic makeup and be passed down to future generations.

4. Healing from Intergenerational Trauma:

Serene Thin Elk stresses the importance of healing from the soul wound, a concept that describes the spiritual impact of intergenerational trauma.
She emphasizes the need for both individual and collective healing efforts, including clinical interventions, reconnecting with ancestral traditions, and building healthy communities.
The speaker highlights the "Bigfoot Ride" as an example of a traditional practice that honors ancestors and promotes healing.

5. Conclusion and Call to Action:

The speaker concludes by urging individuals to confront their own internalized trauma and find ways to honor their ancestors through their own lives.
She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power and resilience of Indigenous communities and the potential for healing through collective action.
The talk ends with a powerful image of water, symbolizing the stillness and resilience that can be found even amidst trauma and grief.

Notable Quotes:

"It's a revolutionary act to speak the same language that they spoke."
"This huge fear, this wave that you feel, is what your people feel every single day because of the effects of everything that you have been through."
"We have a unique opportunity right now to heal things within our genetic makeup because we have more of a stable ground and more tools and things that they did not."
"It's actually a really unique powerful opportunity every time you feel anxiety and grief, in all of those things, to look deep inside and realize that you do have all of the resources, you have all of that energy to be able to heal."