Biskaabiiyang Wellness Framework

Developed in partnership with Maya Odehamik Chacaby based on the teachings she shared with me over a number of years, this framework contextualizes the process of what we call dis-recovery: reconnecting to your 'dis' (umbilical) relations/ancestors. It is complex healing journey to access Spiritual Knowledge best described by the term 'Gikendan aanti e-onjiiyan' (know where you come from to know where you're going).

Biskaabiiyang refers to the resurgence of ways of knowing, being, understanding and doing in the world. Culture-as-Healing is a very complex process, and my passion is to help bring those who with in the survival area through survivance in a supportive, respectful way with kindness and reciprocity.

This workshop begins with trauma-informed historic metanurrative, followed by the 4 original instructions (traditional laws) on how to be Anishinaabek based on teachings from The Old Man. This framework is also evidence-based as it connects neuroscience and brain chemicals to emotional states that impacts thoughts and behaviours.

Participants will be guided through this framework based on the work they do, individualized to their communities, as well as drawing on personal experiences to understand trauma-informed practice in ways that will enhance helping strategies at all stages of wellness.

This framework originated from the idea that crisis can and will happen to everyone, regardless of ones stage of wellness. We all get emotional charges from past traumas, and that emotional charge, when understood on a 4 degree scale, can inform who we should turn to for help, and what that help should look like.

Example: If I am living/functioning in stage 6, and I have a life experience that generates a strong emotional charge, I may not be able to manage that with self-care. It might also be too intense for the support of friends or community members. It might be at the crisis state, where it would be most effective to seek the support of an trained, experienced intervention worker to help bring my emotional charge down to a degree where I can make decisions with the support of friends, or by implementing self-care.

What I love about this model is, it really forces us (social workers and helping professionals - myself included) to meet people where they are at and not expect too much from them. This is a correct or honest way of helping, and by having the historic background, it really does eliminate shame and blame.

The people who are 'cycling in critical danger': addicted and at risk of overdose, suffering from mental health problems at risk of suicide, involved in violent relations at risk of physical harm or death, or suffering from deep apathy not caring enough to be safe in their day to day decisions. What they need most is KINDNESS, and PHYSICAL connection. We need to go to them, find them on the streets, reach out and help them step by step with no expectations that they will make any changes on their own. This is an example of where we would start in the Biskaabiiyang Framework, to brainstorm what this stage looks like fore your organizations clientele, and what the most effective strategies would be.

It builds on the existing strengths, staff, and programs within organizations and also helps to identify areas of need or service gaps. This is why it is recommended as a 3 or 4 day session.