You may not know that I am an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). I’m very proud of this heritage from my father who instilled in my brothers and me a profound respect, pride, and interest in our Potawatomi identity. Through our CPN family, my immediate family have had some wonderful opportunities and experiences. From traveling to Oklahoma to visit our land allocation to our naming ceremonies (my Potawatomi name translates to “Spark of Fire”) to my recent opportunity to serve on a public art selection committee for Johnson County Parks and Recreation in Kansas, it has been a wonderful and enriching journey.
This summer there will be an unveiling at Heritage Park in Olathe, Kansas of a work by Leah Yellowbird and Aaron Squadroni entitled “Fire Keeper’s Circle.”
I encourage you to follow the link above to learn more about this project that commemorates the Potawatomi Trail of Death which passed through this section of Olathe and follow this link which summarizes this traumatic event.
It was an honor to serve on this public art committee with my fellow CPN members, inspiring staff from the JCPRD, and professionals from the art and cultural community. I encourage you to visit Heritage Park this summer to view this inspiring work of art!
Unfortunately, traumatic events have not been left in the past within our society. Individuals continue to have adverse events impact them throughout their lives. Thus, as a psychologist, I always appreciate helpful articles I come across in the Hownikan publication from the CPN. Last month there was a great article written by Kayla Woody from the CPN House of Hope. Ms. Woody shared some valuable information from The National Sexual Violence Resources Center about how to have a trauma-informed approach to social media that I’d like to pass along to you.
1) “Happy photos don’t mean happy people.” A snapshot does not capture someone’s complete life which can include dysfunction and pain.
2) “Try to imagine the one person you are helping.” When you engage on-line, do it from a positive helpful place.
3) “Put up your boundaries.” “Don’t think that you are obligated to participate or interact with those who do not accept you or support you.”
4) “Avoid doom scrolling.” Limit your time on social media. Be careful about what content you allow in your head.
5) “Our perception is our reality.” Content is crafted to appear a certain way. It may not reflect reality.
Spring has sprung and summer is not far away! Get out in nature and enjoy the public parks near you. It will be a great addition to your mental health and maybe you’ll have some wonderful, positive photos of nature to post on your social media!