Grandmother's Legacy
Grandmothers play a pivotal role in families within many cultures. In many Native and Indigenous communities, matriarchal systems or matrilineal social structures are foundational to cultural traditions. Grandmothers are seen as knowledge keepers who share their wisdom with others.
Health Benefits:
Mindfulness/Contemplative Practices
Spirituality
Social connections
Health Condition:
Cultural disconnection
Trauma
Method of Use:
Ceremony
Storytelling
Cultural Narrative
In many Native and Indigenous communities, grandmothers are called upon for their guidance, support, and assistance in child rearing. As a result, a grandmother’s legacy is often discussed by their grandchildren and other descendants. A primary way grandmothers transmit generational knowledge is through storytelling.
Several community members recalled the presence of their grandmother in childhood and described how this was instrumental in their development. For instance, one community member recalls their grandmother sitting in the alley with children gathered in a circle, sharing the story of the ants who went to the moon. Community members also discussed their grandmother's legacy as contributing to their understanding of themselves and their cultural identity. A community member discussed learning of her Indigenous identity from her grandmother after interviewing her for a class assignment.