9. Historical trauma and Indigenous communities

---

What is historical trauma?

Historical trauma occurs when entire communities experience repeated and systemic harm, leading to long-term physical, emotional, and cultural distress.

Features of historical trauma

• Collective impact: Trauma is shared across generations, affecting individuals, families, and communities
• Ongoing effects: The harm does not end with those who experienced it directly but continues through intergenerational trauma.
• Rooted in systemic oppression: Policies like residential schools and the Indian Act disrupted Indigenous languages, cultures, and governance.

Historical trauma affects mental health, physical health, and community well-being — contributing to higher rates of chronic illness, addiction, and mental health struggles among Indigenous populations.

---

Key events contributing to historical trauma

Indigenous nations in Canada continue to experience the effects of historical trauma caused by colonial policies and systemic racism. The following events played a significant role in shaping this trauma.⁶¹

Early colonization and land dispossession

When European settlers arrived in Canada, they sought to profit from the land, despite Indigenous nations already sharing and respecting it under their own governance systems.

Forced displacement and relocation

Settlers viewed Indigenous peoples as “too savage” to follow European laws and forced them onto isolated, less fertile lands that made survival more difficult.

The Indian Act (1876)

This law gave the government control over nearly every aspect of life on Indigenous reserves, restricting Indigenous freedom, governance, and economic opportunities.

Residential schools (1840s–1984)

The Bagot Commission (1844) and Davin Report (1879) helped establish the residential school system, where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families.

• Schools were underfunded, overcrowded, and unsafe, leading to widespread illness, malnutrition, and abuse.
• Many children died due to neglect and harsh conditions.
• The last federally run residential school closed in 1996 (though some provincially run schools closed earlier).

The Sixties Scoop (1960s–1980s)

During this period, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in non-Indigenous homes.

• Authorities claimed this was due to “neglect.” In reality, there was little understanding of Indigenous family structures and parenting.
• The Sixties Scoop continued the cycle of forced separation and erased cultural identity for many Indigenous children.

Ongoing systemic racism and government inaction

• Many Indigenous communities still face barriers in accessing resources, health care, and education.
• The government has not fully accepted responsibility for the harm caused, which slows progress towards Truth and Reconciliation.

---

Stress passed down through generations

Historical trauma affects not only those who experienced it firsthand but also their descendants. This is known as intergenerational trauma — the transmission of stress and harm across generations.

Indigenous communities in Canada have faced many hardships over time, such as losing family members to war and disease, being forced onto reserves, attending residential schools, having their culture suppressed, losing their resources, and having their traditional ways of life destroyed. These struggles have passed down through generations, causing ongoing health problems.⁶²

Some of the health issues caused by this ongoing trauma include:

• Higher risk of mental illness
• Higher risk of physical illness
• Suicide
• Substance use problems
• Family violence
• Sexual violence
• Incarceration (being sent to jail)
• Child abuse

When someone in the family has experienced trauma, like attending residential schools or being part of the Sixties Scoop, their children and even grandchildren can be affected by the stress they carry. This is called “secondary trauma.” It can cause problems in how families communicate and can affect the whole family.

In the third generation, the effects of trauma can also be passed down in a way that changes how genes work. This is called “epigenetics.” These changes can make it harder for people to heal, even with therapy, because the stress from previous generations can still be felt in their bodies and minds.

How does intergenerational trauma happen?

Trauma is passed down in different ways, including:

• Family and community dynamics: Parents and caregivers who have experienced trauma may struggle with emotional regulation, parenting, or passing down cultural traditions.
• Loss of identity and language: Forced assimilation policies disrupted cultural teachings, making it harder for younger generations to connect with their heritage.
• Socioeconomic disadvantage: The impacts of colonial policies continue to limit access to education, health care, and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
• Biological effects: Research suggests that trauma can affect stress responses in the brain, increasing vulnerability to mental health challenges.

Long-term effects of intergenerational trauma

Over time, intergenerational trauma can lead to:

• Higher rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use.
• Increased physical health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Difficulties in relationships and community well-being.

While the effects of historical trauma are significant, healing is possible through cultural reconnection, community support, and policy changes that honour Indigenous self-determination.

---

Ways to move towards Truth and Reconciliation and reduce stress

To help reduce the lasting effects of trauma, it is important to create security and safety for Indigenous communities, who have long advocated for Truth and Reconciliation, which acknowledges past injustices and seeks meaningful action for repair.

Research shows that Indigenous communities experience better well-being when they have greater control over their own decisions and land.⁶³ Self-governance — the ability to make independent decisions — helps restore autonomy and strengthen cultural identity.

One important way to support Indigenous mental health is through “enculturation,” a three-step process that helps reconnect individuals with their heritage. This process includes:

1. Engaging in traditional spiritual practices
2. Participating in cultural activities
3. Strengthening connections to Indigenous identity

Studies show that these steps can reduce mental health challenges, such as suicidal thoughts and depression, especially among younger generations.

To promote better health and well-being for Indigenous communities, consider the following key approaches:

• Implementing decolonizing strategies, such as increasing opportunities for Indigenous self-governance.
• Supporting identity formation, including efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages and traditions.
• Using culturally adapted approaches to healing, such as hiring staff with cultural competency and incorporating education on colonization and historical trauma.

---

Test your understanding