Protecting and Healing from Trauma Through Native Nation Building and Community Strengthening

This collection of research and commentary, compiled by the National Native Children’s Trauma Center at the University of Montana and the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona with support from Casey Family Programs, proposes an “upstream” approach to trauma-informed care, one that demonstrates a broad awareness of the causes of trauma while supporting the development of effective tribal systems and interventions. A nation-building approach engages not only tribal human and social services programs but all parts of tribal government in taking responsibility for creating a comprehensive approach to trauma that helps safeguard children and families and restores collective wellbeing.

Note: The figure above is a modified version of the figure on p. 12 in Jason Brennen, et. al., Building a Multi-System Trauma-Informed Collaborative: A Guide for Adopting a Cross-System, Trauma-Informed Approach among Child-Serving Agencies and Their Partners (Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago & Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research, 2019). 

The collection is organized by topic area, and each item in the collection has been chosen to help users understand:

  • the characteristics of healthy and thriving Native communities

  • how Native nations can advance their community wellbeing goals, especially through the development of laws, policies, and cross-systems work

  • how such communities are themselves a protective factor and healing force for Native children and families

The introduction to each topic area provides an overview of the connections between upstream Native nation-building and community strengthening efforts and the given health and wellbeing issue. The selected articles, reports, and webpages encourage users to explore these connections and posit further linkages among Native nation building, community development, thriving and healthy Native nations, and children and family wellbeing.

General Connections

The Role of Culture

Housing Connections

Health Connections

Education Connections

Food Systems Connections