Some thoughts about Neuroplasticity

In class we have been discussing a focus of community work should involve improving the connections of neuroplasticity and increasing critical consciousness. Raising the Critical consciousness of ourselves as social workers and raising the consciousness of the community that we are working for will improve community building. We have discussed the important role of neuroplasticity, brain function and its importance to becoming an effective practitioner of community work. These topics were new to me and I wasn’t too sure of if there were connections between neuroplasticity and community practice. Well my first feelings that neuroplacity and community work are related were feelings of uncertainty and some slight disbelief. I have come to realize that I was not unsure of the relatedness of neuroplasticity and critical consciousness, but I was just unfamiliar with the terms and vocabulary.

One of the questions that I had regarding neuroplasticity is how this fits in with traditional and cultural values. I was not quite sold on the idea that if people learn to think critically and reconnect and transform neuropathways that the community would grow and positive change would occur. I kept asking myself where does spirituality and cultural ways of knowing fit in to this model. After reflecting, I realized that I thought that I operated on the idea that tribal communities just needed to be connected to traditional values, ceremonies, and spirituality and the result would be community empowerment and action would follow. The previously mentioned is part of neuroplasticity. In the past when things were not going well our people tried different actions. Actions such as praying, fasting, sweats, abstaining, seeking guidance, were just a few of the actions that our people took to change the course. These actions created new neuropathways which would stimulate the brain effect behavior. Tribal people have always known how to adapt. Our traditional culture was not static, it has always changed even prior to contact.

The human brain is amazingly adaptive. We now have to think about ways to adapt so we can survive in this world that is no longer cared for by indigenous people. So now the scientific community is now saying that our brains are flexible at any age contrary to the old saying that old dogs cannot learn new tricks. In the article entitled Introduction to the Brain and Introduction to Neuroplasticity, (www.memoryzine.com/neuroplasticity.htm ) authors discuss how both genetics and environment play a role in establishing and maintaining the brain’s plasticity. At birth the major highways are paved out in our brain. The influence of our environment plays a main role in developing a deeper and comprehensive network of connections. Our flexible brain allows us to change the structure of our existing connections between neurons or allows us to form new connections. This plasticity allows us to rebuild connections that have resulted in decreased abilities and to compensate damaged connections resulting from trauma, disease, or genetic bad luck. Tribal people have some broken and damaged neuropathways, connections that as a result of colonization , genocide and intergenerational trauma. We are strong people and we do have the ability to heal and reconnect and build new connections.
Overall we do have the ability to change our neuropathways. As community practitioners and tribal people we need to engage and organize activities and services that achieve this.

With a tribal runoff election coming up very soon I think it is important for candidates to share their thoughts about community building. Community building that involves developing programs and services that will involve changing and building our neuropathways.