The Forest of Resilience: Healing with Grief Toolkit was created to support Tribal Nations as they navigate grief, loss, and healing. Rooted in the voices and teachings of Elders from the Northern Cheyenne, Blackfeet, Crow, and Fort Peck Tribes, this resource weaves together stories, ceremonies, and practices that honor Indigenous ways of grieving and living well.

This work grew through collaboration between the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Allyson Kelley & Associates PLLC, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with guidance from Tribal Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs).

The toolkit carries forward the wisdom of Elders, the strength of families, and the resilience of Tribal communities. It is offered as a living resource; one that affirms there is not just one way to grieve, and not just one way to live.

This section explores how grief is experienced and understood in Tribal communities today. It highlights cultural teachings, traditional practices, and the impacts of historical trauma. Offering insight into how loss is processed and honored across generations.

Highlights include:

• Quotes and teachings from Elders

• Differences between colonial and Indigenous views of grief

• Importance of ceremony, language, and collective healing

In this section, Tribal Elders share their personal stories, reflections, and cultural practices around grief, loss, and healing. Their words offer comfort, strength, and a deeper understanding of how communities carry sorrow and find ways to heal.

Highlights include:

• Firsthand accounts from Elders across multiple Tribes

• Examples of mourning rituals, memorials, and cultural healing practices

• Emphasis on resilience, family, and spiritual connection