Indigenous Healing: Exploring Traditional Paths

Imagine a world in which people see themselves as embedded in the natural order, with ethical responsibilities not only toward one another, but also toward rocks, trees, water and all nature. Imagine seeing yourself not as a master of Creation, but as the most humble, dependent and vulnerable part.

Ross explores this indigenous world view and the determination of indigenous thinkers to restore it to full prominence today.

He comes to realize that an appreciation of this perspective is vital to understanding the destructive forces of colonization.

As a former Crown Attorney in Northern Ontario, Ross witnessed many of these forces. He examines them here with a special focus on residential schools and their power to destabilize entire communities long after the last school has closed. With help from many indigenous authors, he explores their emerging conviction that healing is now better described as "decolonization therapy." And the key to healing, they assert, is a return to the traditional indigenous world view.

Ross sees the beginning of a vibrant future for indigenous people across Canada as they begin to restore their own definition of a "healthy person" and bring that indigenous wellness into being once again. Indigenous Healing is a hopeful book, not only for indigenous people, but for all others open to accepting some of their ancient lessons about who we might choose to be.