Developing Trauma Training for an Indigenous Community: Hopefully Not Seagulls

Abstract

The impact of trauma—personal, intergenerational, and communal—in Indigenous communities is indisputable. However, it is rarely discussed in terms of traumatic stress responses and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. A recent national speaking tour by Professor Stevan Hobfoll, focusing on community-based aspects of trauma recovery, led to a request to provide some introductory trauma training to staff at a remote Indigenous alcohol and drug service. The author discusses issues to be considered when non Indigenous social workers and other helping professionals provide training on treating trauma to counselling staff in such a service. The author outlines the development of the program, its delivery, follow-up, and evaluation. The paper also considers the concept of trauma-informed care and where to go to from here for the trainers and the community.

Keywords:

• Trauma Recovery
• Trauma Informed Care
• Training
• Indigenous Communities