What We Carry for Our Ancestors: Intergenerational Healing | Serene Thin Elk | TEDxSiouxFalls

NOTE FROM TED: While some viewers may find this talk helpful as a complementary approach, please seek mental health support if you are struggling. This talk only reflects the speaker's personal views and understanding of epigenetics and trauma. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
We are epigenetically and spiritually connected to our ancestors through our DNA which has powerful effects on our daily life, relationships and community as a whole. Indigenous people often refer to this as “blood memory,” an experience of holding both the traumatic and healing events of those who have gone before us within our hearts, minds and bodies. This talk will focus on the impacts of historical traumas and how the past directly impacts our present day conditions individually and collectively. There will be a cultural focus on methods of healing which promote internal reflection, inter-connectedness and community building. Serene Thin Elk MA, LPC-MH, LAC, QMHP is the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at SD Urban Indian Health and is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Oyate (Yankton Sioux Tribe). She is passionate about addressing patterns of intergenerational transmission, and finding ways to help individuals, families and communities heal from the effects of historical traumas. Her primary role is being Ina (mother) to her beautiful children. She strongly believes that healing begins within each individual, which extends to family, community and society. She has worked in various settings since obtaining her Masters degree in Expressive Therapies in 2008 from Lesley University. Her passion resides in continuing to help others heal mental health and addiction through the L/Dakota life-ways. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@sabrinacook2610]

That's my auntie

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Sabrina, you come from good stock! 🙏🏽💛

[@underdogunchained]

She is beautiful.

[@jordoncahoose3609]

I knew that before you

[@rltrep123trepania3]

I wish my aunties where like this. 🥹

[@cesarsanchezgutierrez3064]

DNA vessels that carry on more than just looks and mannerisms. This a course in miracles

[@josephbelisle5792]

It must be nice to have ancestors that you would like to have involved in your life. I have CPTSD. My ancestors were monsters who thought it right to traumatize the next generation into mental illness. I do not wish them as any part of my life. You have my deepest sympathies and compassion for all the problems the peoples of Europe caused your peoples. Especially as it continues today. Today we can do something about it but they perist in causing harm. I understand intergenerational trauma. What it does to people and to the individual. It shouldnt exist. We should be able to reason our way out of it. Know that life is the most important thing and therfore doing everything we can to protect it. Thank you for the talk. Its sad that I had to hear it instead of a talk on how good you and your people are doing. How everyone goes home happy and healthy at the end of the day. May every season find you not wanting,

[@tyishaariel]

Very beautiful presentation. I became emotional when you spoke of your brother, as I could feel the extent of your love for him. As an Indigenous person living in today's society, it is important to take up the academic space, that these messages can reach others. Much appreciation to you!

[@veronicabarragan]

Powerful and beautiful. Thank you for your sacred work. Thank you for your sovereignty. Thank you for you.

[@christawildflower5633]

I’m so grateful I came across this .

[@QueenBDreamwalker]

Woplia for sharing this specific knowledge shining a path toward Healing 👣🪶🙏🏾💜🌎

[@oxymoron9548]

Thank you so much for this talk! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 This is very healing! Thank you for sharing your language with us!!! ❤️🥰 I learned so much from this talk. I've always been looking for a phrase to describe the experience of lateral oppression. Now, I know what it's called.

[@sihayamoraleda210]

❤️❤️❤️ Beautiful, Serene. I will be sharing with my students. I especially appreciated the point about PTSD and intergenerational trauma for people whose histories might not have been “at the table” when that diagnostic research was done. Love to you and your family. I still think of you, and G.

[@candisgarant488]

OMG, mahsi cho for this talk.

[@apc5755]

So inspirational. Thank you so much.🦋

[@itr6540]

Thank you very much! You are very beautiful and strong. ❤️

[@andycodling2512]

So refund so true... we are the tip of the wave of many experiences, experiences we carry from our ancesters... let's make it a better life for the living beings to come

[@beverlyanndesjarlais1516]

This is such a beautiful and inspiring talk ❤️💛🤍🖤 miigwetch for sharing your knowledge and story with us. I am Cree from SK and MB Canada. Intergenerational trauma is very real. I really needed to hear your words as I am experiencing the intergenerational trauma with my siblings and father, like you said community and culture help heal so much 🪶

[@Germanic-Wellness]

Beautiful talk. It deeply resonates with me as I have done some work around ancestral healing as well. Worked with a Shaman to open up to the ancestors I came to the conclusion that one ancestors was the director of the Dutch West Indian Compagnie. Samuel Blommaert. Got himself a listing on Wikipedia. He has been active as well in the colonisation around the Hudson and Delaware region. Interrupting the trade with native Americans brining over liquir and spirits from Europe. After living in England/London for over 10 years I have returned to my home country in the Netherlands. Found a small apartment within a 17th century townhouse in a place called Middelburg. This was the 2nd most important town during the Dutch Golden age because the WIC was operating from here. Because I lived abroad I kind of know what spiritual Displacement can do to your wellbeing. There is so much work and healing to be done around this field I don't even know where to begin. Humanity is facing a different enemy know which will cause lots of things to come up. Will also know what's like to feel displaced from ourselves, eachother and our native lands.

[@DonnieJenkinsMusic]

What a wonderful talk from such a wonderful person. This held great meaning for me, in particular concerning how your brother's life had great meaning in spite of great tragedy. My background includes Cherokee heritage, not sure to what degree, but I have always felt a deep sadness for Native Americans and in particular for the systematic destruction of their heritage. For some reason I became involved in helping a very ill 24 year old girl in the Philippines, often wondered what drew me to this, and in watching this video, I realized it was the tremendous injustice and cruelty inflicted upon her by others there, cruelty to an extent I never really thought possible simply because she is poor and sick. This video clarified this issue for me in a way i did not expect, and I realize that her situation is somewhat similar to what has happened here over and over to poor people and to Native Americans and African Americans certainly to the extreme. Thanks so much, i hope to see more content from you here, this one video has been a blessing.

[@DonnieJenkinsMusic]

I wanted to add that I have worked with dreams for over 30 years, one of yours you mentioned was very moving, and I know so well the power of just paying attention to them.

[@sommesoul33]

Mention “intergenerational trauma” etc to people and some react violently to you verbally. They don’t realise they are displaying partly this towards you when they do. They fear those who understand concepts they have never heard of, even if there are videos of people with PhDs talking about it. In a world of knowledge such as these in videos on the internet, they refuse to learn.

[@Spirit-333]

Amazing

[@daryllee9033]

Another great vlog mate.

[@WKGDI]

❤️

[@user-yd4ez4os7t]

honor

[@rhondajo7822]

❤❤❤❤😊

[@lanceoldman2091]

i guess i'd have to say that water is GOOD and so her saying it's not good or bad is conflicting because without water there is no life. everything needs water to live.

[@adamfox2903]

No way! Heckle fish is the star of the show! Sorry

[@Divinesoul-ef9rp]

444 Likes❤