Four Seasons of Community Healing in Indigenous Communities

This ground-breaking participatory research with key Aboriginal First Nations across Canada and Indigenous healers and community development practitioners in Canada and the USA is fundamental reading for anyone working in addressing addictions or supporting community development in Indigenous Communities.

In our consultations with six partner communities, and drawing on knowledge and experience from many other communities and Indigenous healers it became clear that the community healing process also seems to go through distinct stages or cycles. Four distinct stages were identified and described.

Stage 1: The Journey Begins (Thawing from the long winter)

Stage 2: Gathering Momentum (Spring)

Stage 3: Hitting the Wall (Summer)

Stage 4: From Healing to Transformation (Fall)

Also included are Indigenous definitions healing, healing strategies, models and recommendations.