When talking about addiction in Canada, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples. For many, substance use isn’t just about individual choices — it’s connected to a much larger history of forced assimilation, displacement, and loss of identity. This is what’s known as generational trauma.
Understanding this history is essential if we want to support meaningful recovery, not just for individuals but for entire communities.
What is generational trauma?
Generational trauma (also called intergenerational trauma) refers to the psychological and emotional wounds passed down from one generation to the next. In Canada, this trauma is rooted in colonization, the residential school system, and the Sixties Scoop.
Children were taken from their families. Languages and traditions were banned. Abuse was widespread. Entire systems were designed to erase Indigenous culture. While the direct survivors are aging, their children and grandchildren still carry the weight of that harm.
This trauma isn’t just remembered — it’s lived. Through anxiety, cycles of poverty, broken trust in institutions, and often, through addiction.
Why trauma increases risk of substance use
Unaddressed trauma makes the brain more vulnerable to substance use. When someone grows up surrounded by pain that isn’t spoken about — or when caregivers are also carrying unresolved trauma — substances can become a way to cope.
Research consistently shows that people who experience childhood trauma are at higher risk of developing substance use disorders. For Indigenous peoples, the trauma is not only personal but systemic and tied to identity, which compounds the risk.
The numbers paint a stark picture
- In Ontario, First Nations people were 7 times more likely to die from opioid-related causes in 2021 compared to non-First Nations populations.
- In BC, First Nations people made up nearly 15% of all toxic drug deaths in 2020, while representing only about 3% of the population.
- Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among Indigenous youth, who report higher rates of depression and anxiety than their non-Indigenous peers.
But statistics don’t capture the whole story. They don’t reflect the resilience, strength, and healing practices that Indigenous communities continue to lead.
Why culturally safe care matters
One of the biggest barriers to recovery is that mainstream treatment often doesn’t reflect Indigenous worldviews. Many report feeling judged, unsafe, or misunderstood in systems that don’t acknowledge their lived experience.
That’s why culturally safe and trauma-informed care makes a difference. This can look like:
- Involving Elders and traditional healers in treatment
- Land-based healing, ceremony, and connection to nature
- Community-led programs that blend Western and Indigenous approaches
- Support for language revitalization and cultural identity
When healing is grounded in culture, it doesn’t just treat the addiction — it restores pride, purpose, and belonging.
How we can support Indigenous-led healing
True reconciliation means listening, learning, and standing behind Indigenous communities as they lead the way forward. Here’s how:
- Challenge stigma by speaking openly about generational trauma
- Educate yourself on residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and ongoing inequities
- Advocate for funding that goes directly to Indigenous-run recovery and mental health programs
Across Canada, Indigenous peoples are reclaiming culture, rebuilding community, and showing extraordinary resilience. Recovery is not only possible — it’s already happening. But it will only continue if we acknowledge the truth of history and create space for Indigenous voices to guide the way forward.
If you’re looking for support, we can help connect you with counselors and community resources. Reach out through our Contact page.
Horizon Recovery Initiative | Youth-Led Addiction Support 