Towards resilience: intergenerational trauma and the importance of community in The Break by Katherena Vermette
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https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-585Palabras clave:
Mujer Indígena, trauma intergeneracional, comunidad, estrategias de gestión del trauma, narrador, violencia, literatura Indígena, resilienciaResumen
Introduction. Intergenerational trauma, resulting from assimilationist practices aimed at eradicating Aboriginal cultures, is a reality that Canadian Indigenous communities continue to confront since the arrival of settlers. After centuries of silence imposed by the oppressive colonial system, Indigenous voices are emerging to highlight this historically ignored and marginalized reality. Among these voices is Katherena Vermette, who wrote The Break trying to portray the reality of intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities. Methodology. Using a qualitative methodology, this study will examine the specificity of intergenerational trauma management strategies and its nature by focusing on three narrators: Rain, Kokoom, and Cheryl. Results. The analysis will reveal ineffective strategies employed by the narrators, such as drug and alcohol addiction, and show how they manage to leave behind these ineffective strategies, finding effective methods that guide their path to healing. Discussion. This study will highlight the individuality and harshness of the trauma, demonstrating the importance of community for Indigenous women. Conclusions. Resilience and the inner strength in Indigenous women’s communities are key elements for effectively facing and confronting their trauma, allowing them to begin their journey towards healing.
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