Trauma doesn’t always end with the person who experiences it. It can be passed down through families, shaping identities, relationships, and even entire communities.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Mark Powless, a member of the Oneida Nation, shares his story of growing up in a Native community still impacted by the historical trauma of boarding schools and cultural erasure.

We explore how generational trauma contributes to depression and other mental health challenges, why silence and stigma persist, and how Indigenous healing practices are helping to restore identity, connection, and resilience.

This is a conversation about loss, survival, and the powerful role of culture in creating pathways to healing.

Resources Mark suggests:

Oneida Nation website: https://oneida-nsn.gov/

Sky Woman Lives in Me by Roberta Capasso: https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Woman-Lives-Roberta-Capasso/dp/1483443469

Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families, 1900-1940 by Brenda Child: https://www.amazon.com/Boarding-School-Seasons-American-1900-1940-dp-0803214804/dp/0803214804/

Healing the Sound Wound by Eduardo Duran: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Soul-Wound-Trauma-Informed-Multicultural/dp/0807761397/

Primary Topics Covered:

What generational trauma is and how it’s passed down
The connection between historical trauma and depression
Boarding schools, cultural erasure, and their lingering effects
Why silence, shame, and stigma prevent open conversations
Substance use and anger as coping mechanisms for trauma
How cultural identity shapes resilience and recovery
The role of Indigenous healing practices like sweat lodges
Building awareness and hope for future generations

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and overview of generational trauma
01:01 – Trauma’s impact on identity, safety, and belonging
01:48 – Intergenerational trauma in Native communities explained
03:08 – Mark Powless shares his personal story
03:59 – Historical events shaping present-day struggles
05:06 – The trauma of boarding schools and cultural erasure
06:11 – Family disconnection and inherited silence
07:39 – Coping through anger, grief, and substance use
08:35 – The meaning of cultural traditions in healing
09:57 – Triggers and reactivation of old wounds
11:21 – Carrying grief across generations
13:49 – Indigenous practices for breaking cycles of trauma
14:17 – Teaching younger generations about mental health
14:57 – Healing as a lifelong journey
15:54 – Closing reflections on trauma and resilience

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