Teresa Naseba Marsh PhD - The Courage of a Nation: Healing From Intergenerational Trauma, Addiction and Multiple Loss

The Courage of a Nation

Copyright 2020 by Teresa Naseba Marsh PhD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-2579-1 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-2578-4 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-2580-7 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Foreword

My first connection with Dr. Teresa Naseba Marsh was a telephone call I received in 2003. She called to tell me of her work implementing Seeking Safety with Indigeous people in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I was immediately moved by her profound passion for healing and her personal story. This conversation was followed by many visits and conversations about trauma and healing, Indigenous people, Seeking Safety and other to pics.

It has been an honour to walk alongside this woman for so many years and to directly witness her enormous heart and boundless energy for healing and change for the w orld.

When I read the manuscript of this book, I was inspired and amazed by what she has accomplished. She brings cultural practices to life and moves masterfully from strong background literature to stories that capture the healing journey in the words of those who lived it. She offers a guidepost to show the way forward for transforming the deepest wounds and pain caused by trauma, addiction and loss. She takes the reader on a truthful journey within the self to explore processes of healing that are so very much needed in the w orld.

Teresa has the imagination of an artist, the gift of eloquence and the spirit of a healer. She joins her experiential knowledge of Indigenous cultures and people with her accomplished knowledge of Western counselling methods. She joins past and present, despair and hope, always summoning the best of those around her. She shows that spirituality and reclamation of that which was taken away by colonization is connected to the souls infinite compassion, love and creativity. Through the teachings of her Elders, she begins to understand that we lack nothing and that healing is always poss ible.

I have learned a great deal by watching how she connects Seeking Safety with Indigenous practices. This book exemplifies how to bring cultural practices into the heart of counselling, to unite these worlds in ways that become bigger than each alone. It has been exciting to watch Teresas work unfold and to see how she has helped so many people, with ever widening circles of influence from her direct work with the Indigenous communities to her broader teaching and wri ting.

I cannot recommend this book highly en ough.

~ Dr. Lisa M. Naja vits

Acknowledgments

In my life, there was a presence I recognized as the Stream of Love that accompanied me. During the writing of this book, I merged with the stream and I experienced passion and bliss. There are so many people I want to thank. You made this gift possible and I will be forever grat eful.

I thank the Creator and all my ancestors for the stream of love, light, inspiration, hope and joy that walked with me as I was writing this book over the y ears.

This book would not have been possible if it were not for Elder Allen Dick and the entire Nuu - C hah -N ulth Nation on Vancouver Island, particularly the two Nuu - C hah -N ulth communities of Tseshaht and Ahousaht. Kleco (thank you)! Elder Allen and his beautiful family are embedded in the foundation of this book. Kleco! Audrey, Andy, Victoria and Noahlani for the care, love, laughter and food you always shared wit h me.

My deepest appreciation goes to Jeannette Watts, Nene van Volsen, Gail Gus, Jane Jones, Gloria -J ean Frank, the late John Frank, Dave Frank, Louie Joseph, Rif Kamil, Anne Murray, Charlotte Rampanen, Jacqueline Watts and all the people in both communities. Also, thanks to all the Nuu - C hah -N ulth people who worked with me and who willingly shared their difficult and sometimes devastating stories with me. I thank you for your courage and strength to speak your truth with your voice and name. Kleco! Critch, Jailen, Lloyd, Andy, Elder Dave and all the staff who contributed their time, love and guid ance.

Elders Julie and Frank, Che Miigwetch for your grace, quiet strength, love, inspiration, guidance and teachings. I could never have walked that road on my own. I honour you both and also all the Elders of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Whitefish Lake First Nation) reserve in Sud bury.

Thank you to all the Elders who honoured me at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Community Gathering. Thank you to all the NOSM staff for their support and guidance. I often watch you work in all the different areas of NOSM, be it Indigenous affairs, admissions or the associate dean of community engagement. You are all involved in making, remaking and creating a change that will go down in history. I am honoured to be an Honourary Elder of this sc hool.

Dr. Lisa Najavits, my mentor and heroine, you are strength, courage, inspiration and hope, and you gave willingly and joyfully to the world. I am grateful for the guidance and respect you gave me throughout my doctoral research and more. Also, thank you for writing the Foreword and for the insightful guidance and support you gave throughout the development of the books con tent.

I would like to thank my thesis supervisors, Dr. Sheila Cote -M eek and Dr. Nancy Young, and my committee members, Dr. Lisa Najavits and Dr. Pamela Toulouse. Pam, during my difficult first year and my struggles with discouragement, you sat and guided me through my stu dies.

Che Miigwetch to all the magnificent Storytellers, you willingly and joyfully permitted the publishing of your life stories. You inspired me to the core with your bravery, compassion, respect, love and hope for healing. So many people, as they read your stories, will find their healing and their Spirits through your giving and sharing. Thank you to Healer Mike, Grandmother Sue, Patrick, Jade, Angel, Charlaine, Krystal, Pascal, Chris, Denis, Ron, Angela, Joanne, Judy, Nathan, Marina, Jane, Angele and J amie.

Thank you, David, my best friend, helper, guide and husband for your unconditional love and support. You guided me throughout this process with patience, kindness and vi sion.

Thank you, my dear children, Shireen, Ashley, Reon, Helen and Catherine for encouraging me during the most difficult times in my life. Catherine, thank you for your contribution to painting the cover for this book. The Blue Heron was very appropriate and will continue to inspire people when they feel down and out. Thank you, Maya, Jordan and Acacia, my beautiful grandchildrenthis is my gift to you.

I thank my mother, father and grandmother and all the other family in Spirit World who often ventured out to bring me teachings and guid ance.