Mac Hall, Founder Project Venture and Michael Yellow Bird, Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba
Dr. Michael Yellow Bird writes: “Neurodecolonization involves combining mindfulness approaches with traditional and contemporary secular and sacred contemplative practices to replace negative patterns of thought, emotion and behavior with healthy, productive ones. Drawing on recent scientific research, neurodecolonization builds on the idea that healthy, constructive thoughts, emotions and behaviours can change our brains (and our lives) for the better. Many Indigenous contemplative practices incorporate the same principles and processes as mindfulness approaches, and are important components of physical, emotional, behavioural, and spiritual well-being.”
“Neurodecolonization seeks an understanding of how mind and brain function are shaped by the stresses of colonialism and compromise the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Some stressors include, but are certainly not limited to racism, hate crimes; loss of territories, culture and pride; high levels of mortality, poverty, and poor health; and disregard of Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty and rights. Along with building new empowered neural networks, neurodecolonization activities are aimed at deactivating old, ineffective brains networks that support destructive thoughts, emotions, memories and behaviours, particularly, past and contemporary oppressions associated with colonialism”
In this session, we will explore the ways in which mindfulness and Indigenous practices are supporting wellbeing and social change especially through neurodecolonization. Engaging Native and non-Native practitioners to explore the intersection of brain science, historical trauma, and mindfulness adapted within Indigenous communities, we will draw wisdom from the intersection of ancient, new, and adapted modalities.
Zoom links will be emailed within 24 hours of registration. Please contact us at events@garrisoninstitute.org with questions.
HOSTS
McClellan (Mac) Hall, MA, Founder, Project Venture: Mac is of Cherokee descent and was a former teacher and principal of tribal schools. He founded the National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project (NIYLDP) over 30 years ago, including developing its signature program, Project Venture, the only Native American-developed program in the US to attain the highest level of evidence standards. Mac is internationally recognized as a leader in advancing Native youth development and has served and lead numerous expert panels on suicide prevention. He is frequently sought after as a consultant and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kurt Hahn Award, the Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, the Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award and the Indian Health Service Director’s Behavioral Health Achievement Award. Mac is a graduate of the Native Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington and holds a Master’s in Education from Arizona State University.
Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, PhD, Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba, is an enrolled member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) in North Dakota, USA. He has held faculty and administrative appointments at the University of British Columbia, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, Humboldt State University, and North Dakota State University. His research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, ancestral health, intermittent fasting, Indigenous mindfulness, neurodecolonization, mindful decolonization, and the cultural significance of Rez dogs. He is the founder, director, and principal investigator of The Centre for Mindful Decolonization and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. He serves as a consultant, trainer, and senior advisor to several BIPOC mindfulness groups and organizations who are seeking to incorporate mindfulness practices, philosophies, and activities to Indigenize and decolonize western mindfulness approaches in order to address systemic racism and engage in structural change. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles, book chapters, research reports, and the co-editor of four books: For Indigenous Eyes Only: The Decolonization Handbook, 2005; For Indigenous Minds Only: A Decolonization Handbook, 2012; Indigenous Social Work around the World: towards Culturally Relevant Education and Practice, 2008; and Decolonizing Social Work, 2013. Choice Magazine, selected Decolonizing Social Work as a 2014 Choice Outstanding Academic Title. Choice Outstanding Titles are given extraordinary recognition by the academic community and are designated to be “the best of the best.” He is the co-author of two recent books: A Sahnish (Arikara) Ethnobotany (2020), and Decolonizing Holistic Pathways Towards Integrative Healing in Social Work (2021). His most recent co-authored mindfulness article is Defunding Mindfulness: While We Sit on Our Cushions, Systemic Racism Runs Rampant (October, 2020).