Collective Grief and Trauma: Applying Black and Indigenous Healing Practices to D.O.S.E Regulations

Addressing collective grief and trauma necessitates a mindful acknowledgment of the deliberate erasure and appropriation of Indigenous and African healing practices within Western methodologies. For Black and Indigenous individuals, reclaiming their traditional healing methods is more than a path to wellness; it’s an act of cultural restoration and resilience. Recalling that our ancestors left us with wisdom based on connection and harmony with the land. These practices have sustained us for thousands of years and much of what we see today in Western models not only works counter to nature but also was not designed for us and much was created at the expense of our bodies.

Erasure of Indigenous and African Practices:

Western approaches have systematically marginalized Indigenous and African healing practices. The deliberate eradication of traditional systems, such as the outlawing of sacred Indigenous ceremonies and the suppression of midwifery practices among African communities, signifies the intentional erasure of invaluable cultural knowledge (Doe, 2021).

Co-Opting of Traditional Practices:

Western cultures have historically appropriated aspects of Indigenous and African practices, detaching them…