ABSTRACT
In order for decolonization to be successful it must begin in our minds (Wilson and Yellow Bird, 2005). Creative, healthy, decolonized thinking, actions and feelings positively shape and empower important neural circuits in our brain, which, in turn, provide us with the personal resources, strengths, talents and abilities we need to overcome and transform the oppressions of colonialism (Yellow Bird, 2012). On the one hand, a healthy, well-balanced mind and brain are essential to helping one to engage in proactive, creative and successful decolonization activities and, on the other, unconstructive, negative thinking, feelings and behaviours dampen and short-circuit our brain’s creativity and optimism networks and increase our susceptibility to the many stresses that arise in everyday life. The customary stressors, especially for Indigenous Peoples, are exacerbated by the additional trauma of colonialism (Yellow Bird, 2012; see Chapter 7).
