The following content is drawn from the IIC’s Pathway to Wellness Resource, Touchstone 3 “Wellness Principles: Understanding the Aspects of Wellness”:
Mental wellness
Mental wellness involves maintaining a healthy mind through intellectual stimulation, self awareness, and positive thinking. In many cultural teachings, the mind is the centre of our thoughts and decision-making processes and caring for our mental health is crucial to our overall well-being. Mental wellness is essential for making sound decisions, solving problems, and continuing our personal and intellectual growth.
Spiritual wellness
Spiritual wellness is about finding balance and harmony within ourselves and our environment. For Indigenous peoples, this involves connecting with our culture, traditions, and spirituality to find meaning in life. Spiritual wellness provides a sense of purpose and grounding, helping us to navigate life’s challenges with inner strength and peace.
Physical wellness
From an Indigenous perspective, our physical body is a vessel of the spirit, and taking care of it is a sacred responsibility. Physical wellness involves maintaining a healthy body through regular physical activity, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and avoidance of harmful behaviours. It is the foundation of overall health and vitality. Maintaining physical wellness ensures that we have the strength and energy to fulfill our responsibilities and engage fully in our everyday activities.
Emotional wellness
Emotional wellness is about being in tune with our feelings and finding healthy ways to express them. In Indigenous teachings, emotions are understood as a form of heart knowledge, connecting us to our inner selves and the world around us. Emotional wellness is crucial for maintaining balance and harmony within ourselves and our relationships, fostering resilience and a positive outlook on life.
Food as a source of wellness
Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining physical health and supporting mental and emotional well-being. Traditional foods play a significant role in Indigenous cultures, providing both nourishment and a connection to heritage. Eating well supports our body’s needs and connects us to our cultural practices and traditions.
Sleep as a source of wellness
Adequate rest and sleep are vital for physical, mental, and emotional health. They help the body recover and the mind process emotions and experiences. Good sleep is essential for overall functioning and helps us to be more present and engaged in our activities. Please check out CICMH’s infosheet on rest and sleep and CICMH’s free online course, “Improving Your Rest and Sleep” which can be found in the resource section of the toolkit.
Movement as a source of wellness
Regular movement is crucial for maintaining physical health and vitality. Physical activity also supports mental and emotional well-being, and traditional forms of movement often have cultural significance. For example, walking on the land, reconnecting with nature and Mother Earth. Engaging in movement keeps our bodies strong and helps to release stress and tension.
Sacred space as a source of wellness
Sacred spaces are areas where you can connect with your spirituality and find peace. These spaces are important for spiritual and emotional well-being. Having a dedicated sacred space allows us to practice our spirituality and f ind tranquility amidst the demands of daily life. These sacred spaces may include your bedroom, living room, church, longhouse, dedicated space on campus for ceremonial practices, etc.
Land as a source of wellness
The land is a source of life, sustenance, and identity. For many Indigenous cultures, the land is seen as a living entity that must be respected and cared for. Connecting with the land promotes physical, emotional, and spiritual well being, and is vital for grounding ourselves and nurturing our sense of identity and belonging.
Community as a source of wellness
Strong, supportive relationships with family, friends, and the broader community are essential for well-being. Community provides a sense of belonging and mutual support, which is central to Indigenous ways of life. Being part of a community strengthens our resilience and provides the support network needed for overall wellness.
Ceremony as a source of wellness
Ceremonies are vital for maintaining spiritual health and connecting with cultural traditions. They provide a sense of continuity, community, and spiritual fulfillment. Participating in ceremonies helps to reinforce our cultural identity and provides spiritual nourishment and guidance.
Reflective activity:
Create your own “wellness wheel” using the wellness framework and sources of wellness mentioned above.
- What does wellness mean to you?
- What would your “wellness wheel” look like when integrating these values into your daily routine?
- What activities would you either add or remove to ensure you are maintaining a wholesome balance?
Indigenous student: “Invite Indigenous elders and healers to work with Indigenous students, needs are different and require a spiritual component to wholistic health.” (CICMH, 2023c, p.11)
