The Land Back movement and the push for Indigenous sovereignty advocate for the reclamation of Indigenous lands, rights, and self-governance. These movements are rooted in a commitment to dismantling colonial structures and restoring stewardship of lands to Indigenous peoples. Indigenous sovereignty is about the right of Indigenous nations to self-govern and maintain cultural practices and traditions that colonialism sought to disrupt and erase.

Land Back is not only about physical land but also about reestablishing relationships with ancestral territories and supporting Indigenous people in revitalizing and reclaiming their cultural identities, languages, and ways of life.

LAND BACK in Therapy

Therapy through the lens of Land Back and Indigenous sovereignty honors the unique cultural identities, histories, and resilience of Indigenous individuals. It recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonialism, including generational trauma, cultural loss, and the physical and psychological consequences of land dispossession. This therapeutic approach centers the right of Indigenous clients to connect to their culture, community, and identity in meaningful ways. Land Back-informed therapy provides a space to explore cultural reconnection, identity, and healing from colonial harm, acknowledging the importance of land, tradition, and sovereignty in mental health and well-being.

Therapists who are informed by Indigenous sovereignty and Land Back principles aim to create a culturally safe space for Indigenous clients, respecting traditional knowledge, practices, and ways of understanding wellness. This approach supports clients in reclaiming identity, addressing intergenerational trauma, and fostering community ties, all of which contribute to holistic healing and self-determination.

Key Principles

• Cultural Reconnection and Identity Affirmation: Therapy affirms the right of Indigenous clients to explore and embrace their cultural identity, language, and practices. It encourages reconnection with ancestral traditions and supports clients in reclaiming their heritage as a source of resilience and pride.

• Acknowledging Intergenerational Trauma: This approach recognizes that colonialism has caused generational harm, from family separation to cultural erasure. Therapy provides space to process this trauma, working towards healing that respects both individual and collective experiences of harm.

• Sovereignty and Self-Determination: Therapy respects and centers Indigenous clients' right to autonomy and self-determination. Clients are encouraged to define their own goals and healing paths, fostering a therapeutic relationship built on mutual respect.

• Decolonization of Therapy: Therapy informed by Indigenous sovereignty works to remove colonial biases from mental health practices, honoring Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and spirituality in the healing process.

• Land and Place as Integral to Wellness: Therapy acknowledges that land and nature are essential to Indigenous identity and healing. Clients may explore their relationship to land, place, and community, as well as the importance of nature in mental and spiritual well-being.

How We Can Help

At Resilience, we are dedicated to providing a therapeutic space that respects and supports the principles of Land Back and Indigenous sovereignty. Our approach centers on:

• Cultural Safety and Affirmation: We create a space where Indigenous clients can feel safe to express their cultural identity, exploring the healing power of tradition, language, and connection to ancestry.

• Healing from Colonial Trauma: We support clients in processing the effects of historical and ongoing colonial harm, offering compassion and validation as they work through intergenerational trauma.

• Respect for Indigenous Knowledge and Practices: We integrate an understanding of Indigenous knowledge and healing practices, providing culturally relevant care that honors clients’ spirituality, traditions, and connection to the land.

• Supporting Self-Determination and Autonomy: Therapy is centered around your goals and needs, respecting your right to define what healing means for you, free from imposed cultural expectations.

What to Expect

• Culturally Safe, Respectful Care: Therapy aims to be free from assumptions and biases, providing a space where your experiences as an Indigenous person are validated and respected.

• Integration of Traditional Knowledge: Therapy may include or honor traditional healing practices and values, creating a space that respects Indigenous approaches to wellness and spirituality.

• Advocacy and Allyship: Many Land Back-informed therapists are committed to challenging colonial structures within the mental health field and beyond. This advocacy supports the decolonization of therapy practices, pushing for inclusivity, equity, and justice for Indigenous communities.

• Holistic, Community-Centered Care: Therapy acknowledges that wellness is not only an individual experience but is deeply connected to community and collective resilience. We support clients in building or strengthening their connections to family, culture, and community.

Land Back and Indigenous sovereignty-informed therapy honors the significance of culture, community, and land in healing. At Resilience, we are here to support you in your journey toward reconnection, empowerment, and pride in your heritage.

We understand that mental health is not only a personal experience but is tied to cultural survival and resilience. Whether you are healing from colonial harm, reconnecting with your heritage, or simply seeking a space that honors your identity, we are here to walk with you on this path to wellness, autonomy, and reclamation.