Elder Pete
Elder Pete Thompson is Mohawk, First Nation but has lived in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii for several years, where he has been adopted into the Raven Wolf Clan. He is a traditional healer at the Xaaynangaa Naay Health Centre.
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Elder Pete Thompson talks about rituals and ceremonies that prepare the dying for the spirit world. (01:21)
Other content for:
First Nations - Traditions, Rituals and Spirituality
- Culture affects medical decisions (02:18)
- Traditional medicines at end of life (01:26)
- Traditional and western medicine (01:11)
- A beautiful death (03:41)
- We walk with our own people (00:50)
- Dying at home (01:40)
- Honouring sacred wishes (01:23)
- Talking about death (01:11)
- Traditions and grief (01:55)
- The anger of grief (01:19)
- Songs of strength (00:41)
- Relationship with Mother Earth (01:19)
- Letting go (02:16)
- Returning to my culture (00:53)
- The comfort of spiritual beliefs (01:02)
- Gathering strength (00:43)
- Honour and let go (01:33)
- Reincarnation (01:24)
- You feel so good after (00:57)
- Ask, listen and respect (01:01)
- Self-smudging ceremony (01:03)
- Smudging ceremony (01:33)
- Traditional foods are medicine (02:06)
- Traditional foods in hospital (00:58)
- Balancing medical care and personal needs (01:11)
- Towards culturally safe care (01:02)
- The meaning of spirit (01:08)
- Everything is connected (01:54)
- A new setting for Indigenous spirituality (01:46)
- Accepting death (01:56)
- Healing circle (01:25)
- Our music brings comfort (01:00)
- Go freely now (01:29)
- Opening the door (01:37)
- Be a human being (01:42)
- Indigenous Voices: Ceremony, Tradition and Spirituality ()
- Indigenous Voices: Honouring Our Loss and Grief ()
- Birds and mammals: Spiritual links to the Creator (1:32)
First Nations - Talking About Illness
- It's okay to ask (01:12)
- Advance care planning (00:56)
- Humour helps (01:13)
- Making sure patients understand (01:33)
- Write down your questions! (00:53)
- "Queen of the bad news" (01:16)
- Talking about death (01:11)
- Making memories (01:45)
- My mother's wishes (02:14)
- Ask, listen and respect (01:01)
- Knowing what to expect (01:52)
- Balancing medical care and personal needs (01:11)
- The right to ask (01:24)
- Connecting through silence (01:57)
- Encouraging communication (02:09)
- Welcoming silence (01:30)
- Healing circle (01:25)
- Go freely now (01:29)
- Communicating in the old ways (01:43)
- What does my diagnosis mean? (02:20)
- Communication tips for health care providers (00:38)
- Improving communication (00:31)
- Family grief and healing (00:39)
- The benefit of a family meeting (01:43)
- Indigenous Voices: Ceremony, Tradition and Spirituality ()
- Indigenous Voices: Caring for the Patient and Family ()
- Indigenous Voices: Walking Along Side for a Good Death ()