Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, PhD 

"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders" - Lao Tzu

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves” - Buddha

"We live, we die, and like the grass and trees, renew ourselves from the soft earth of the grave. Stones crumble and decay, faiths grow old and they are forgotten, but new beliefs are born. The faith of the villages is dust now... but it will grow again... like the trees" Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples have a long and important history of engaging in contemplative and mindfulness practices in daily and ceremonial life. Acknowledging the nature and sentience of lands, waters, forests, plants, the weather, sacred ceremonies, spirits, the cosmos, and all creatures meant that one had to use all faculties to maintain a high level of sensitivity to what was constantly unfolding and the sacredness that embedded from moment-to-moment. Indigenous contemplative practices contemplative practices are deeply spiritual in nature and inextricably tied to an understanding that all things are connected. Teaching from the ancestors, elders, spiritual leaders, and important mentors all revolved around the practice of mindfulness  

However, doing different periods of European and American colonization many of the sacred contemplative practices of Indigenous Peoples were banned by settler governments, leaving many communities without the cultural mindfulness approaches they had used for millennia to heal and restore well being. The consequences of these disruptions are evident today. Indigenous Peoples have many serious health disparities resulting in high rates of disease and disability: suicide, obesity, substance abuse, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression and anxiety disorders.   

I am committed to bringing mindfulness approaches and practices to Tribal and Indigenous Peoples communities, organizations, and programs to help build healing and improving wellness.  My goal is to implement neurodecolonization strategies that call upon, or provide a means for tribal communities to engage in traditional indigenous contemplative practices and understand how these practices improve well-being.