Listening to the spirit voices: Honoring our ancient traditional ways of healing.

The thesis examines Cree health and healing from a cultural perspective, by focusing on medicine men, doctoring sweat lodges, talking circles and the values of living in a good way.' I will compare and contrast health and healing as practiced by western medicine and by Cree medicine. In the culture of western medicine, the physicians are trained through technology and scientific facts traditional Cree medicine is viewed as spiritual healing through cultural ceremonies and the use of medicinal plants. My aim is to argue that the best path of health and healing, especially for Aboriginal people is by utilizing both western and traditional Cree medicine which provides a holistic approach to our well-being. There are the two interfaces of western medicine which lacks the spiritual aspect while traditional Cree medicine lacks the scientific approach. I will take the approach of utilizing Medical Anthropology which provides the structure for bridging the gaps between western medicine and traditional Cree medicine. A qualitative approach guided interviews with a broad range of people concerning their health and healing experiences. This process is an example of how western medicine coupled with the holistic healing approach of traditional Cree medicine can be beneficial to all peoples and their communities. This thesis speaks to healing practices in a general way without going into explicit details of sacred ceremonies taught to me by the elders who guided me throughout my spiritual journey. Traditional knowledge concerning sacred ceremonies is entrusted to a few and is not meant for everyone. The monitoring of specific details of these sacred and ancient ceremonies is to protect them from exploitation and abuse.