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Aboriginal spirituality: Symbolic healing in Canadian prisons

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Abstract

Symbolic healing is a complex phenomenon that is still relatively poorly understood. This paper documents a process of symbolic healing which is occurring in Canadian penitentiaries, and which involves Aboriginal offenders in cultural awareness and educational programs. The situation is compounded, however, by the existence of offenders from diverse Aboriginal cultural backgrounds with differing degrees of orientation to Aboriginal and Euro-Canadian cultures. Participants must first receive the necessary education to allow them to identify with the healing symbols so that healing may ensue, and both the healers and the patients must engage in a process of redefining their cultures in search of a common cultural base.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 0W0, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    James B. Waldram

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  1. James B. Waldram
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Additional information

The research upon which this paper was based was funded by the Correctional Service of Canada contract No. 1990/91-PRA-306. The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the staff at the Regional Psychiatric Centre (Prairie region) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, especially Drs. Art Gordon and Steve Wong. A special thank you must be extended to the Elders, Native Liaisons and patients who participated in the research, but who must remain anonymous.

The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily represent the views of the Correctional Service of Canada, its staff, or the Elders and patients. The author alone is responsible for the content.

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Waldram, J.B. Aboriginal spirituality: Symbolic healing in Canadian prisons. Cult Med Psych 17, 345–362 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01380009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01380009

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