Decolonizing the Mind: Traditional Healing Contemplative Practices - Dr. Michael Yellow Bird

Taking place as part of BPM330: "Mindfulness-Informed Interventions for Mental Health" taught by Rose Mina Munjee at the University of Toronto, the "Diverse Perspectives on Mindfulness" speaker series brought together scholars whose work integrates diverse disciplines, traditional and ancient approaches, a wide range of applications, and fosters culturally sensitive and trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing in mindfulness-informed applications. The series explored ways of incorporating mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) into biomedical mental health approaches from professional, societal, and personal perspectives.

Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, PhD, is Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. He is an enrolled member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) in North Dakota, USA. He has held faculty and administrative appointments at the University of British Columbia, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, Humboldt State University, and North Dakota State University. His research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, ancestral health, intermittent fasting, Indigenous mindfulness, neuro-decolonization, mindful decolonization, and the cultural significance of Rez dogs. He is the founder, director, and principal investigator of The Centre for Mindful Decolonization and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. He serves as a consultant, trainer, and senior advisor to several BIPOC mindfulness groups and organizations who are seeking to incorporate mindfulness practices, philosophies, and activities to Indigenize and decolonize western mindfulness approaches in order to address systemic racism and engage in structural change. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles, book chapters, research reports, and the co-editor of four books.