Skip to content

There's a difference between a warrior and fighting and the family man.

Transcript

The Native culture, there has always been,

how do you put that, there has always been a recognition

of what we call PTSD through the centuries.

What would happen, you go out, warriors would go

out on a raiding party and then come back.

They actually would be set aside from the rest of the people

for two or three days and meditate

and the elders would talk to them and they do ceremonies

and cleansing before they return to their families because,

you know, there's a difference between a warrior and fighting

and the family man and we've always known that

and we've always treated it that way.

I tell a lot of the young kids that are coming home,

you need to talk to your elders.

You need to talk to your family, you know.

Yes, you need to come with me and talk to VA

because we've got something that work with you.

But because of your culture and your background

and the way you're raised, you're more receptive

to the cultural healing from the Native culture

and the ceremonies than you would be talking

to a psychiatrist or a mental health worker.

Not that you shouldn't but you should connect the two,

you should work together.

The way to heal is just

to put those together and make them work.

Published At