How do we understand non-physical trauma and experiences of grief in our society? And,
how do we heal from a traumatic experience and move past our grief? Does Western medicine
heal, or does it numb our symptoms to a point where we think we are healed? This research is an
autoethnography that investigates the author’s experience with loss. This research compares
Western medicine’s focus on healing the mind/body and Indigenous methods focused on healing
the Spirit. The first uses a combination of prescriptions and counselling and the second draws
upon ceremonies and traditional medicines. This research will contribute to a larger body of
knowledge that will be useful to others struggling with the complexity of trauma and the
methods that are used in healing.
