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Traditional and Indigenous Perspectives on Healing Trauma With Psychedelic Plant Medicines

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Christine Diindiisi McCleave at University of Alaska Fairbanks
Christine Diindiisi McCleave
Susan Beaulieu
Susan Beaulieu
Susan Beaulieu
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Rainbow Lopez
Rainbow Lopez
Rainbow Lopez
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Joseph Tafur
Joseph Tafur
Joseph Tafur
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Abstract

This article reflects the commentary of Indigenous experts, students, and practitioners from North America. Topics discussed include the historical context of colonialism and the Psychedelic Renaissance, duality of Spirit and science, the challenges of being an Indigenous person in psychedelic spaces, and the role of culture in healing trauma. The authors expand upon topics such as the harms inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples, conflicting worldviews and values systems between Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and the dominant Western culture, and the differences in scientific and economic paradigms. The authors also analyze the effects of colonization on our relationships with one another and with these entheogenic plant medicines.
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Vol:.(1234567890)
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (2024) 22:938–950
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01252-w
1 3
COMMENTARY
Traditional andIndigenous Perspectives onHealing Trauma
With Psychedelic Plant Medicines
ChristineDiindiisiMcCleave1· SusanBeaulieu2· RainbowLopez3· JosephTafur4
Accepted: 31 January 2024 / Published online: 26 February 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024
Abstract
This article reflects the commentary of Indigenous experts, students, and practitioners from
North America. Topics discussed include the historical context of colonialism and the Psyche-
delic Renaissance, duality of Spirit and science, the challenges of being an Indigenous person
in psychedelic spaces, and the role of culture in healing trauma. The authors expand upon
topics such as the harms inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples, conflicting worldviews and values
systems between Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and the dominant Western culture, and the dif-
ferences in scientific and economic paradigms. The authors also analyze the effects of coloni-
zation on our relationships with one another and with these entheogenic plant medicines.
Keywords Indigenous· Plant medicine· Trauma· Spirituality
“Indigenous voices have been singing and praying with the sacred medicines for as
long as we know, conservatively, for thousands of years. Ironically, in today’s psyche-
delic renaissance, Indigenous voices struggle to find a space to be seen and heard. We
are honored by these three women that, despite the difficulties, have stepped forward
to share with us their cultural experience and ancestral wisdom.” – Dr. Joe Tafur.
The following three sections are individually authored by panelists from a keynote panel
titled “Spirit in Science—Traditional and Indigenous Perspectives on Healing Trauma with
Psychedelic Plant Medicines.” The panel was moderated by Dr. Joe Tafur at the “From
* Christine Diindiisi McCleave
cmccleave@alaska.edu
Susan Beaulieu
susan@ndncollective.org
Rainbow Lopez
rainbowlopez9@gmail.com
Joseph Tafur
joe.tafur@gmail.com
1 University ofAlaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
2 NDN Collective, RapidCity, SD, USA
3 Tohono O’odham Nation, Tucson, AZ, USA
4 Modern Spirit, Inc, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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... By facilitating play activities or by encouraging clients to engage in cultural or spiritual practices, therapists can work with clients to help move their trauma energy through their bodies [68]. This can be therapeutic because when trauma energy is lodged within the body, it can cause a person to spiritually disconnect from their body [30]. ...
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... In addition to addressing issues of diversity, it is essential to recognize Indigenous perspectives and the longstanding use of psychedelic plants as traditional medicines and sacraments. In a collection of essays, McCleave et al. (2024) share their experiences as Indigenous scholars during the "psychedelic renaissance." They explore topics such as the connection between spirituality and science, the various challenges Indigenous individuals face in psychedelic spaces, and the vital roles of spirituality and culture in healing from trauma, including intergenerational trauma. ...
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