Nursing students, together with Dr. Cristina Carpenter, take a photo with trainers from the National Native Children’s Trauma Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona, during the trauma-informed care training.

Navajo Technical University (NTU) nursing students participated in the Fort Defiance Indian Health Board’s (FDIHB’s) trauma-informed care intensive training workshop led by trainers from the National Native Children’s Trauma Center, and the University of Montana. The training took place inside the conference room of the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital.

During the event, students engaged in discussions covering foundational topics on resilience and trauma-informed care within Indigenous communities. The afternoon session was especially relevant, highlighting the importance of building protective factors and practicing self-care in the high-stress nursing field.

The training was deeply rooted in cultural traditions, beginning and ending with prayer led by staff from FDIHB’s traditional and cultural services, with smudging available at day’s end. A local drum group, Intertribal Boys, performed songs and facilitated reflection. The importance of language was emphasized, with a shift from trauma-informed care to healing-centered engagement. Students found the training beneficial and impactful for their nursing careers.

“We are excited that the nursing students could attend and participate in FDIHB Inc.’s second annual Trauma-Informed Care Intensive,” said Dr. Cristina Carpenter. “This full-day event was facilitated by the team from the National Native Children’s Trauma Center. We are mindful of the language shift around trauma-informed care to healing-centered engagement and will be utilizing this language in the future.”

Trauma-informed care involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of trauma throughout a person’s life. It emphasizes providing physical, psychological, and emotional support to help trauma survivors regain control and feel empowered. Students were introduced to research on trauma as it relates to Native people and tribal communities, including trauma types, brain science, developmental and behavioral effects, and the connection between historic and current traumas.