"Trauma, Culture, and Myth: Narratives of the Ethiopian Jewish Exodus" by Gadi BenEzer

BenEzer (2007) in a chapter from the anthology, Understanding Trauma: Integrating Biological, Clinical, and Cultural Perspectives thoughtfully presented a case for the importance of migration stories in trauma studies. "Powerful processes occur on such journeys that affect the individual and community in life-changing ways and shape their initial encounter with, and adaptation to, their new society"  (BenEzer, 2007, p. 382). The focus on migration and trauma can be applied to Indigenous experiences around the U.S. as well.  For example, two pertinent novels  examine Cherokee forced removal in the Pushing the Bear series by Diane Glancy.  Sources on the expulsion of Dakota communities from Minnesota would have to be part of this.  Migration rips away all that is familiar and all the resources and can sever relationships that once helped a community or a person flourish.

BenEzer, G. (2007). Trauma, culture, and myth: Narratives of the Ethiopian Jewish Exodus.  In L. J. Kirmayer, R. Lemelson & M. Barad (Eds.), Understanding trauma: Integrating biological, clinical, and cultural perspectives (pp. 382-402). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.