Resilient perspectives of traditional healing in a Mohawk community

Despite colonization and assimilation attempts at eradicating cultural methods of healing, the Kanien¿kehaka (Mohawks) of Kahnawake, Quebec have been able to keep an extraordinary amount of their ancient teachings relatively intact. Recent discourse on Aboriginal resilience has shown that despite challenges and adversity, revitalization efforts of language, culture and traditional methods of healing have persevered. This qualitative research focused on highlighting some of the efforts currently experienced within the community of 8,000¿s public health and social services organizations. The author offers an insider¿s perspective on healing and wellness practices around existing public health services, and that of individuals who work in the health services industry within the community, including two community Elders. Her Master¿s thesis argues that combining cultural models of healing into its public services organizations, not only protects and perpetuates Indigenous knowledge and traditional ways of healing, but allows for the assertion of rights to cultural identity and serves as a model to other Indigenous communities who have control of their own health services.