Healing Lineages: Indigenous Mental Wellness Through Ancestral and Genealogical Reconnection

This session invites participants to critically engage with the role of ancestral connection and family history in promoting Indigenous mental wellness. Drawing upon Indigenous frameworks of well-being—grounded in concepts of hope, meaning, purpose, and belonging—the workshop will examine how genealogical reconnection can serve as a catalyst for emotional resilience, cultural identity formation, and intergenerational healing.

Participants will also explore the psychological impact of confronting traumatic histories, including those related to residential schools, child welfare interventions, and systemic displacement. Through the integration of trauma-informed strategies and Indigenous wellness teachings, the session offers a reflective space to consider both the restorative and emotionally complex dimensions of genealogical research within Indigenous contexts.

Ideal for those engaging with Indigenous family history, cultural revitalization, or decolonial approaches to mental health,