Global Indigenous Psychologies: Movement toward healing historical harms

Panelists: Prof Malose Langa, Dr Mmatshilo Motsei and Mr Anele Siswana
Chair: Prof Peace Kiguwa

Abstract 

There is an imperative for a psychology of healing and self-determination that considers the ubiquitous nature of trauma today. The marginalization of Indigenous approaches to trauma and healing remains a critical site to interrogate disconnections to rich traditions and practices of healing. In this panel dialogue, three speakers engage these dis/connections, with a view to reimagining healing, trauma’s complex hold on communities, and imaginations for a healing psychology. There is a recognition that healing is itself a complex process of renewal, recovery, and refusal; that addressing psycho-social effects of neoliberal economies that are complicit in the erosion of communities remains fundamental to wellbeing, and that trauma as disconnection is political in form. The question of how we engage these entanglements is the concern of the speakers in the panel. Speaking from their respective practices as practitioners, activists and scholars, the speakers address themselves to the questions of trauma, community building, and healing. In turning to indigenous psychologies, they also address alternate rich traditions and approaches to healing that psychology as profession may do well to attend to.