Reconciling with minoaywin: First nations elders' advice to promote healing from forced displacement

Abstract

In 2011, in the Interlake region of Manitoba, a human-made flood displaced 17 First Nation communities whose peoples have deep ancestral ties to their land. The human-made flood and forced displacement created devastating effects such as premature death, worsening chronic illnesses, depression, and loneliness. In 2015, a First Nations Elders gathering was held in Winnipeg to discuss ways to heal from the human-made flood with more than 200 attendees. A qualitative approach within a participatory framework was used to document Elders' perspectives. Twenty-three Elders participated in video-recorded, semi-structured interviews in Ojibway and English. Small group discussions were documented and transcripts were transcribed verbatim. Elders' recommendations towards reconciliation with minoayawin (well-being) were shared via a healing booklet and website. Elders shared their insights about their peoples' and communities' need to heal and offered these strategies to move forward: forgive, stand united, promote self-determination, reclaim cultural identity, and connect with the land.