Addressing Lateral Violence
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Lateral Violence is a collection of learned toxic behaviours that a person directs towards those around them in response to their own unaddressed trauma. In Indigenous communities, this is often a larger problem as Indigneous Peoples often act out the cycle of colonial abuse they experience in their life. It is also linked to intergenerational trauma, as children experience their families acting out their own experiences of racism and trauma and copy it.
Some of the behaviours linked to lateral violence are: - name calling - belittling - intimidation - sarcasm - gossiping - excluding - undermining - withholding of information - backstabbing - ganging up - breaching confidentiality |
Additional resources about lateral violence:
Aboriginal Lateral Violence pamphlet produced by Native Women's Association of Canada. Metis Nation of Ontario's Women's Council - Lateral Violence and Bullying PowerPoint |
Language is Medicine
"Sage, cedar, sweetgrass, tobacco. The sacred medicines. When you start your day with them, along with a prayer of gratitude, your energy becomes joined with the creative energy of the universe - and you may become a creator yourself if you choose and allow. That's the power of medicine." - Richard Wagamese
By connecting with our cultural traditions, we are better able to deal with trauma we have experienced because it gives us a method through which we can revitalize our roots and access the wisdom of our ancestors. Our culture and our communities developed ways of knowing and being that taught us how to live with each other in a good way. Language is one way to connect and learn culture. For us, Michif language is the storehouse of Métis cultural knowledge.
Ingrained within our language is the knowledge of how we should treat each other, and about the caring and the respect that exist in Métis culture. Our language celebrates life, honours the land and is rooted in caring. Our Elders, especially those who are speakers of the Michif language, hold this knowledge.
Our Michif language series is available on YouTube. Elders Bruce Dumont, Stella Johnson and Tom McCallum are the teachers for the sessions. The videos are a combination of culture and language, stories and laughter. Since our Elders all speak different Michif languages, we chose to not focus on one specific Michif language.
Our NIMA Colouring Book contains cultural information using letter of the alphabet. Southern or Heritage Michif is used throughout the book.
By connecting with our cultural traditions, we are better able to deal with trauma we have experienced because it gives us a method through which we can revitalize our roots and access the wisdom of our ancestors. Our culture and our communities developed ways of knowing and being that taught us how to live with each other in a good way. Language is one way to connect and learn culture. For us, Michif language is the storehouse of Métis cultural knowledge.
Ingrained within our language is the knowledge of how we should treat each other, and about the caring and the respect that exist in Métis culture. Our language celebrates life, honours the land and is rooted in caring. Our Elders, especially those who are speakers of the Michif language, hold this knowledge.
Our Michif language series is available on YouTube. Elders Bruce Dumont, Stella Johnson and Tom McCallum are the teachers for the sessions. The videos are a combination of culture and language, stories and laughter. Since our Elders all speak different Michif languages, we chose to not focus on one specific Michif language.
Our NIMA Colouring Book contains cultural information using letter of the alphabet. Southern or Heritage Michif is used throughout the book.
