Cultural Teachings & Traditional Healing
Land (The Four Elements)
Connecting with the earth through being in ceremony on the land, taking a walk, placing feet on land for grounding, using nature in your artwork, journal, or wellness practice. Using medicines from the earth, picking medicines, and connecting to your immediate environment. The land grounds us in who we are and where we come from.
Connecting to nature Using Mindfulness
As a family, go outside and find a quiet spot that is nearby. Using your five senses, quietly reflect on your surroundings. What comes to mind during your time? A memory? A thought? An ah-ha moment to something that has been bugging you? Keep that in mind. Head back inside to share what came to mind with your family if you are comfortable sharing.
Another way to learn to identify and manage your emotions is to develop mindfulness – that is, to work to become aware of the present moment. This means letting yourself be aware of what is going on without judgement. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.
Spending too much time planning, problem solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative or random thoughts can be draining. It can also make you more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Practicing mindfulness exercises can help you direct your attention away from this kind of thinking and engage with the world in the present time.
There are many simple ways to practice mindfulness. Some examples include:
Pay attention. It’s hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Try to take the time to experience your environment with all your senses – touch, sound, sight, smell and taste. For example, when you eat a favourite food, take the time to smell, taste and truly enjoy it.
Live in the moment. Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting, and immediate attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend.
Focus on your breathing. When you have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath, and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help.
You can also try more structured mindfulness exercises, such as:
Body scan meditation. Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms at your sides, palms facing up. Focus your attention slowly and purposefully on each part of your body, in order, from toe to head or head to toe. Be aware of any sensations, emotions or thoughts connected with each part of your body.
Sitting meditation. Sit comfortably with your back straight, feet flat on the floor and hands in your lap. Breathing through your nose, focus on your breath moving in and out of your body. If physical sensations or thoughts interrupt your meditation, note the experience, and then return your focus to your breath.
Walking meditation. Find a quiet place 10 to 20 feet in length and begin to walk slowly. Focus on the experience of walking, being aware of the sensations of standing and the subtle movements that keep your balance. When you reach the end of your path, turn and continue walking, maintaining awareness of your feelings.
As part of the community and family we all have responsibilities to care for others. As part of Indigenous cultures, we also have responsibilities to carry knowledge, language, and traditions forward into new generations. We may also have other roles and responsibilities in our lives. It is important to know these roles and responsibilities and how we balance them in our lives.
Take the time to think about and write down all your roles and responsibilities.
Mindfulness presents the opportunity for us to be more fully present for ourselves, our loved ones, and the earth.
— Sebene Selassi
Identifying your Gifts
Our responsibilities often refer to our ability to respond. If we understand what we can undertake, we can better accomplish our tasks. This is a self-reflection activity to help you identify gifts you can use in your roles and responsibilities.
A gentle teacher creates a safe learning space where everyone is welcome to ask questions. Gentle teachers encourage learning and growth for those around them, and do not shame, embarrass, or laugh at anyone for making a mistake. Instead, gentle teachers nurture each learner’s curiosity and meet them where they are at. They help provide necessary support in the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.
— Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Seeking Support to Learn About Culture
If you are seeking to learn more about your culture it is good to ask those closest to you for knowledge or recommendations on who you can speak to. There are many different teachers, language speakers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and traditional healers that have differing knowledge. Sometimes it is hard to find a place where you feel you belong or your family belongs, but it is good to keep trying until you find a place that feels right.
In My Language
