The National Healing Journey
How do we restore our nation?
We gather. We speak truth. We forgive.
We reconcile with ourselves and the Creator.
Poverty.
Across the globe, Africans and the African diaspora continue to suffer inequality and disadvantage because of the legacy of slavery and colonialism…
People of African descent are among the poorest and most marginalized communities around the world. They have high rates of mortality and maternal deaths, and limited access to quality education, health services, housing, and social security even when available. We experience discrimination even as we attempt to access justice, and we face alarmingly high rates of police violence and racial profiling.
The wounds
Our Answer
The marks
Our Answer
It time to consciously shift our mindset and remember who we truly are. Shift the pattern of life and career disruption, relationship difficulties, burnout and failure to thrive. Welcome our own schools and the opportunity to teach our history.
The separation
Our Answer
The disconnection
Nation-level protection in the form of policies & political will has been absent even on the African continent.
As a group, our sense of safety has been lost.
Our Answer
The National Healing Journey
A generation has emerged with the task of ushering in a fundamental shift in Canada’s national consciousness and identity.
Our Goal
Invest in people to create communities of excellence
By acknowledging the legacy of trauma and working to heal it, we can begin to move past the oppressive systems of the past and create a brighter future for all.
The Healing Triangle
This pillar is about recognizing and celebrating the important contributions of people of African descent, while also recognizing the colonization experiences, forced migration, prejudices, and unfair treatment as traumatic in nature. We aim to eliminate the victim narrative and reframe our story with the history that predates the enslavement experience.
Activities:
- Develop a K-12 curriculum to speak truth to our significant historical contributions
- Mass and social media communication & campaigns that positions racism as trauma, counter stereotypes and correct misinformation
- Deliver Truth Forgiveness and Reconciliation (TFR) ceremonies
- Respond to ongoing public & hidden cases of brutality
- Teach/coach /mentor members of our community how to reframe our narrative
We recognizes the importance of the education system in establishing a fair and just approach to ensuring people of African Descent equitable participate in all aspects of Canadian life. We are infusing a trauma-informed perspective in the mentorship and education of every child and student on their journey to becoming proud members of their community. We will also support those identified as leaders, healers, and advocates in the Black community with carrying-out communal healing ceremonies by training them as Truth Forgiveness and Reconciliation (TFR) Practitioners.
Activities:
- Develop K-12 anti-Black racism and anti-oppression curriculum
- Deliver accredited program that certifies Truth Forgiveness and Reconciliation practitioners
- Deliver accredited program that certifies Trauma Recovery Specialists
- Work with community partners to design and deliver mentorship and coaching programs that connect elders and youth.
This pillar supports health and well-being at all ages. We will utilize an equity approach to address the social determinants of health, which include such factors as our shared oppressive experiences, resource access gaps, the income and social status inequities that impact health and wellbeing, community cohesion and working conditions, and more. Racial trauma will be adopted and highlighted as a social determinant of health.
Activities:
- 10,000 hours campaign
- Becoming Methodâ„¢ Certification to educate, empower, and mobilize the great healers of the 21st century
- Create a platform to offer global access to Trauma Recovery Specialist educated with indigenized knowledge and culture-specific healing modalities
- Advocate for reparations in the form of cost for trauma recovery care
Go With Us
Truth, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Gathering
Our annual Truth Forgiveness and Reconciliation Gathering occurs in June each year and brings together the community to celebrate our resilience and triumphs over oppressive colonial injuries, shining a light on the vibrant mosaic of Black consciousness and identity. Woven into the fabric of this ceremony is an Afrocentric perspective on understanding, addressing, and healing the historical, cultural, social, and economic challenges faced by these communities.
Our 2025 Gathering kicks off on September 29th, 2025 with a formal ceremony that incorporates traditional African drumming and dancing, the welcome of state officials; tasting of foods from Africa, the Caribbean, Nova Scotia, and regions of North and South America; story telling, and keynote addresses by highly respected public figures from the Black community.
10,000 Hours Campaign
In our steadfast commitment to the well-being of our community, the Becoming Institute is actively cultivating partnerships with local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as collaborating with Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organizations and practitioners. Our goal in this collaboration is to offer the community unhindered access to 10,000 hours of free trauma recovery care.
From June 2024 to June 2029, the Becoming Institute is dedicated to bridging a crucial gap in mental health care. We will achieve this by training 1000 Afro-descendant individuals in the Becoming Method™—a psychotherapeutic certification that incorporates indigenized, Afro-centric trauma-informed, holistic mental health care. This approach is designed to address the specific trauma recovery needs of our communities.
The NHJ and the 10,000 Hours campaign reflects our humble commitment to fostering a resilient and supportive community. We aim to achieve this by enhancing mental health resources and expertise within the Afro-descendant population. Your support and engagement are vital as we strive to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of our community.
