Effective Practice and Service Delivery for Inuit: Understanding Historical Trauma

Abstract
Understanding Inuit history, culture, values, and ways of being in the world are prerequisites in delivering mental health supports and services. This workshop will highlight treatment options combining psychoeducation, with current research on complex trauma & the brain, and Indigenous healing modalities. The workshop will incorporate the strengths and effectiveness of Inuit traditions, values, and practices.

It has been three decades since the Residential School system has been abolished in Canada, but the experiences Indigenous peoples of Canada have encountered has left a painful impact. This impact has affected Inuit who were forced into residential schools, and the generations to follow. Current empirical data has confirmed the negative effects of historical trauma on survivors of traumatic events, and the generations to follow. Nunatsiavut Inuit have also experienced forced relocation from their communities, the Spanish Influenza, and harsh colonial practices. The recent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have reminded many Inuit of the historical trauma they have endured from the Spanish Influenza of 1918.

There are ongoing discussions across Canada regarding Indigenous issues. There is a dire need to continue these ongoing discussions, research, education, and implementation of programs to painstakingly heal the historical wounds. The Nunatsiavut Government has worked as a collective for their Inuit communities and members. Through their self-government, the Nunatsiavut Government has greatly increased capacity for delivering social services, programs and supports.

Inuit: are an Indigenous people living primarily in Inuit Nunangat. The majority of Inuit population lives in 51 communities spread across Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland encompassing 35 percent of Canada’s landmass and 50 percent of its coastline. Inuit have lived in Inuit homeland since time immemorial. Inuit communities are among the most culturally resilient in North America. Inuit harvest country foods such as seal, narwhal and caribou to feed families and communities (itk.ca).

The session was originally presented as a live conference session in April 2021.

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Describe the layers of complexity in working with Inuit due to intergenerational trauma
  • Differentiate historical trauma from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Examine their own views and perceptions regarding Inuit living in remote communities
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.
Course opens: 
12/31/2020
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Part of: 
Working with BIPOC Clients Package
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Joselito Libres, MACP, CCC
Presenter Bio: Lito Libres is of Filipino descent, and has worked for 5 years as a Mental Health and Addictions Counselor, in two Nunatsiavut Inuit communities. He is now a Clinical Therapist for the Nunatsiavut Government. He provides counseling and clinical guidance on development, and delivery of the community-based Intergenerational Trauma and Addictions Healing Program. Lito completed his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Sofia University, (formerly known as the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) in Palo Alto, California. Over the years, Lito has specialized his work in providing psychotherapy for people with complex trauma.

Presenter: April Andersen, MSW, RSW
Presenter Bio: April Andersen is an Inuk from the Nunatsiavut Region, and works for the Nunatsiavut Government as the Team Leader for the Trauma & Addictions mobile treatment team. April has acquired her Masters of Social Work from Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada), and has extensive experience working in mental health & healing with Nunatsiavut Inuit, and offering psychoeducation with Inuit ways of healing.

Presenter: Jessica Lyall, BA (Hons), MSW, RSW
Presenter Bio: Jessica Lyall is an Inuk from the upper lake Melville area of Nunatsiavut, and works for the Nunatsiavut Government as the Child & Youth Mental Health Specialist. Jessica completed her Masters of Social Work from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) and has experience in policy development, research, and has recently started building her profile in mental health and psychoeducation for working with Inuit Children & Youth.

 

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Please login or register to take this course.

"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code. 

All purchases of recorded content are final.