Exploring Irish Multigenerational Trauma and Its’ Healing: Lessons from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux)

Abstract

This exploratory article reviewed the professional literature related to the construct of multigenerational trauma and the importance of cultural identity and practices as healing and protective/resilience factors against such trauma. It also posited that the Irish and the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) of the North American Northern Plains have commonalities; one commonality perhaps being multigenerational trauma (also called historical loss, transgenerational trauma/shame). Emerging evidence about treatment of multiagenerational trauma with the Lakota through implementing their cultural practices and cultural renewal in rural settings are also discussed. Finally, this investigation describes results from a focus group experience with 12 Irish counselors from rural Southeastern Ireland that explored resiliency related to multigenerational trauma using genograms to describe and compare traumatic and resiliency patterns. {Note: This exploratory approach does not include Irish Diaspora (e.g., Irish-Americans, Irish-Australians, and Irish-Canadians)}. It is hoped that based on the results of this approach, further investigations can occur with these populations.