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Although there is no word for "art" in our Native languages, the process is a very old one, filled with the wisdom of creating, of learning discipline, and the production of something living--an expression of the person, an integral part of the individual. For these reasons, we are taught to be productive in life, to work hard, and to think good thoughts as we work. The farmer prays as he/she plants the seeds--the Creator is asked to look kindly on their good hearts and earnest efforts to feed themselves and their people. The hunter also does ceremony, before the hunt, asking the Creator to guide him and for the animal spirits to sacrifice themselves so that he and his family may live. The process of thinking and living life in a good way, and being productive, keeps us "in balance" as individuals and as peoples.
When there is a trauma or loss in a family or a community, the heart is heavy. A healing must take place. The bad energies of loss, anger, and fear must be acknowledged and processed. They must be removed or diffused. In their place, we must put a new energy. We are told after ceremony, "There, it is done, now you must get on with life, and not think about this bad energy anymore--if you do, you will bring it back and it will make you or someone in your family sick again". These
lessons are very old. They tell us that we must be diligent. We must work hard and with good hearts to "do" good things.
Creating, or the process of making "art" is like this. The lessons that we learn also teach us about self-worth and self-identity and it builds self-esteem. These are critical to the building of a strong "center". When one has a strong center, they will be better able to cope with the "negative energies" of anger, loss, fear, and work toward restoring that balance necessary for
good health of mind and body.
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Lunch:
Moving Away from the Center -- Historical Trauma
Information on Suicide:
Lunch:
Socio-Gram
Formulation of the "Plan"
Identification of Tasks and Assignment of Tasks
Review and Closing
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