The need for contextualised and culturally safe health and social services is well recognised within Aotearoa and particularly within Mental Health and Addiction Services. While trauma is an experience that can impact on all people, Māori experience trauma in distinct ways that are linked to the experience of colonisation, racism and discrimination, negative stereotyping and subsequent unequal rates of violence, poverty and ill health. Given that Māori are impacted by trauma in distinct ways, it is important to explore and identify practice principles that can contribute to the development of a framework that supports Māori Providers, counsellors, clinicians and healers in working with Māori.
The aim of this research is to inform the development of a framework that supports both Māori and non-Māori practitioners working with whānau experiencing trauma. The identification of Māori trauma informed care principles contributes to the development of this framework and also complements the wider trauma informed care approach that is growing within Aotearoa. A co-production of knowledge approach is an aim, process and outcome of the research. Specific objectives include: engage in the analysis of relevant literature including policies that speak to Māori models of health and wellbeing, and Mental Health and Addiction service systems of care; conduct interviews with Māori Providers and Indigenous Peoples who have expertise in working alongside whānau, hapū, iwi and Indigenous Peoples; Facilitate hui across Aotearoa to identify and analyse key themes with a view to identify key Māori approaches to trauma informed care; Facilitate a national symposium and a Thought space wānanga that bring together Māori providers of a range of services to identify significant issues and potential solutions in working with whānau Māori experiencing trauma; Contribute to Māori and Indigenous knowledge sharing and understanding of the impacts of trauma on Māori through the publication of academic papers; Provide key stakeholders and practitioners with baseline Kaupapa Māori information related to Māori approaches to trauma informed care.
Researchers: Leonie Pihama, Linda Smith, Ngaropi Cameron, Rihi Te Nana, Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan, Herearoha Skipper & Tania Mataki
He Oranga Ngākau Thought Space Symposium
He Oranga Ngākau: Māori Approaches To trauma Informed Care
Symposium and Thought Space Wānanga held 7 & 8 May 2018.
Presentation by Dr Takiririrangi Smith on Māori conceptualisations of Trauma and Healing
Hinewirangi Kohu presenting on Māori trauma and healing.
Two Feathers Podcast regarding Native American Mental Health and Trauma
Presentation by Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith for the Two Feathers Podcast regarding Native American Mental Health and Trauma, held 29 April 2020. Recording available here: https://youtu.be/GN3tu5FOOa0