b'HEALTH & WELLNESSI n d i g e n o u s we l l n e s s p r a c t i c e s c o n t i n u e t o p l ay a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e i n I n d i g e n o u s c o m m u n i t i e sa n d t h ey r e g a i n i n g r e s p e c t i n t h e b r o a d e r C a n a d i a n s o c i e t y a s we l lSharing Indigenous Wellness Traditions By Matthew BradfordH ealth and wellness are asFor longtime practitioners like Carter,Among the most common Indigenous much about nurturing thethe deep, long-standing reverence forwellness practices are sweat lodge mind and soul as they areIndigenous health and wellness practicesceremonies,whichcarrygreat aboutstrengtheningthespeaks to their enduring value andsignificance to those seeking harmony physical body. Such truthscultural importancewhether carriedbetween body, mind and spirit. The have been promoted through Indigenousout in Indigenous communities, businesssweat lodge ceremony has been one ceremonies and traditions for centuries,boardrooms, or in sport.of the greatest gifts that we continue and today these practices continue toto practise across Canada, says Carter. stand the test of time. Moreover, theyAs a Sundancer, I believe its veryThe ceremony is a way to purify yourself. have a growing place in our rough andimportant for Indigenous people toWe go to the sweat lodge ceremony tumble fast-paced world where peopleembrace their culture and follow theirto pray for ourselves, to practise and are actively seeking ways to restore theirnurture our spirituality, and to continue soul, slow down, and disconnect.elders, reflects Carter. When you followour healing and wellness journey.your elders, youre learning your identity, We have many important and sacredyoure learning your roots, and youreSweatlodgesaredeeplytiedto ceremoniespractisedthroughoutlearning the ceremonies and the ways Canada, many of which were against theto do them properly. All of that helpsIndigenous values and beliefs and can law back when the Indian Act prohibitedyou become a strong person, whetherbe powerful experiencesespecially Indigenous people from [engaging in]its in a physical job, a leadership role,for those who abide by preparation their cultural practice and ceremony,or whatever it may be. traditions. That includes incorporating says Jason Carter, owner and founderrocks to welcome the Grandfathers, of Bear Standing Tall & Associates, aPROMOTING WELLNESS offering tobacco to those Grandfathers provider of Indigenous cultural trainingfor their help in healing, and integrating and consulting.NumerousIndigenoushealthandthe four elements to complete the wellnesspracticeshaveremainedholistic experience. Smudging ceremonies, for example,relevant today, both within Indigenous have long been used to purify the body,communities and in Canadian societyCentral to sweat lodges and many health mind and soul through a cleansing smokeat large. The Birth Centre in Torontoand wellness practices is the concept of bath. Although there was a period wherefor instance, the citys first and onlythe medicine wheel. It is the idea that the practice was prohibited, the traditionbirthing centre, was founded within anphysical, emotional, spiritual and mental lives on as do other enriching ceremoniesIndigenous framework and promoteswell-being are intrinsically linked, and such as sundances, potlatches, pipeinterconnectedness,harmonyandmust all be nourished as such. When ceremonies and sweat lodges.balance in the birthing process.you work on all four parts of the medicine 42A CCAB PUBLICATION2020'