Herb Nabigon
Herb Nabigon is an Elder from Pic River First Nation and is a member of the Loon Clan within the Ojibway Nation. He is a Professor in Native Human Services Social Work programme at Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada. He has been teaching at Laurentian for the past 19 years.
When Herb was younger he suffered from alcohol addiction which took him to the depths of despair. Since 1979, he has been able to heal his addiction with the help of Eddy Bellerose, an Elder who introduced him to ancient Cree teachings. Herb has acquired help from the healing methods drawn from the Four Sacred Directions, the refuge and revitalization offered by the sweat lodge, and native cultural practices such as the use of the pipe. Herb's healing journey is a complete circle. Native communities still plagued by alcoholism will find hope in his pipe ceremonies and healing circles.
Herb has written a book about his experiences with fighting addiction utilizing traditional native healing methods called The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing. He has written a number of articles for the Federal Government of Canada on Governance and completed articles in the Social Work journals. He has also completed an article on Healing Individuals and Families using a Cree Medicine Wheel Guide.
Herb has been called upon by various communities to conduct pipe ceremonies and sweat lodges for healing dysfunctions within the family and community and worked with various Governmental and social agencies across Canada. The spiritual work done by Herb is very much valued by the Native and non-Native communities.
Books (1)
Synopsis:
Before discovering native healing methods, Herb Nabigon could not imagine a life without alcohol. His powerful autobiography, The Hollow Tree, tells the story of his struggle to overcome addiction with the help of the spiritual teachings and brotherly love of his elders.
Nabigon had spent much of his life wrestling with self-destructive impulses, feelings of inferiority and resentment, and alcohol abuse when Eddie Bellerose, an Elder, introduced him to the ancient Cree teachings. With the help of healing methods drawn from the Four Sacred Directions, the refuge and revitalization offered by the sweat lodge, and native cultural practices such as the use of the pipe Nabigon was able to find sobriety.
The Hollow Tree is one person's testament to the power of indigenous culture to heal. Herb Nabigon's healing journey guided him to a life of kindness, honesty, courage, and humility.
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