Restorying Your Story: Reclaiming your voice in the face of injustices of the past

The stories we tell ourselves about our lives matter. How we make sense of the past affects how we make sense of the present- it can mean the difference between continuing patterns of harm and being the one to break the cycle. Scholar and author Michael Gauthier, PhD, knows this struggle intimately. As a young Indigenous man grappling with the lasting effects of colonialism and intergenerational trauma, Michael turned to addiction to ease the pain and found himself in the prison system. In the intervening years, Michael has worked to understand how Indigenous people can find empowerment through the act of restorying their own lives. Gauthier draws on his PhD research in which he carried out Restorying circles using the Medicine Wheel as a guide to help formerly incarcerated Indigenous men map a new future by looking to their past. Now in Restorying Your Story, Gauthier invites readers to explore the universal application of restorying, and how it can be a powerful tool for all of us to build a good life.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements xiii Foreword xv Chapter 1 - Restorying Trauma: A journey to healing 1 What is Restorying? 15 Wheel of Incarceration 20 Restorying the Lives of Indigenous People Connected with the Criminal Justice System 30 The Importance of Storytelling 39 Chapter 2 - The Early Chapters 57 Colonialism and its Impacts 62 Loneliness and Isolation 68 Isolation, Substance Abuse, and Incarceration 74 Carceral Trauma and the Heightening of Isolation 82 Role Models 85 Chapter 3 - Reprinting History 95 Circles of Community 99 Chapter 4 - You Can Restory Your Story, Too 121 Importance of Spirituality and Culture 126 Persistence of Hope 137 Sharing Your Past for Present Strength 145 Giving Back 146 Chapter 5 - Outro: Healing 155 Chapter 6 - The Medicine Wheel Tipi Exercise 161 Medicine Wheel Tipi model figure 165 Conclusion: Moving Towards a Healthier Future 176 References 177 About the Author 183

About the Author :
Dr. Michael Gauthier is a survivor of the trauma caused by the residential school program. He has translated these negative life experiences into an inspirational self-development philosophy and education program. Michael’s mother was a residential school survivor and she is one of the reasons that he is compelled to help others impacted by this colonialist system to restory their story. Michael advocates for those who are struggling with their past trauma through his and his business partner’s company, Life-Circle. He graduated from Queen's University with both a PhD in Cultural studies and a Masters degree in Education. In addition he has achieved a Bachelors of Arts in Native Studies from Laurentian and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Prince Edward Island in Sociology. Holding consultative and functional positions within the criminal justice system has allowed him the privilege to work as a Negotiator, police officer, correctional officer, Indigenous Community Development officer and a parole officer over the past 3 decades. Michael is the father of two children, and has been married to his wife Carolyn for 25 years. Michael’s First Nation community is Taykwa Tagamou, Cree community located in Northern Ontario.

Review :
"In Restorying Your Story, Dr. Gauthier lays bare his own life experiences to introduce a model of healing through the Medicine Wheel Tipi model and restorying your story process. In his work, Dr. Gauthier blends real world stories with academic evidence that offers a glimmer of hope in restorying many of the painful histories Indigenous people and communities have had to endure. Dr. Gauthier’s work has the potential to impact the painful reality of overrepresentation of Indigenous people incarcerated in Canada, while offering industry and government a tool to improve on their efforts to increase their Indigenous cultural competencies through the incorporation of Dr. Gauthier method into the required training of their personnel. For Indigenous communities, Dr. Gauthier’s work offers a pathway to a new story that can empower and offer a true vision of self- determination for future generations." - David Snowdon, Federal Negotiation Manager, Crown Indigenous Relations "Dr. Michael Gauthier’s breakthrough book is a must read for anyone who wants to better understand the traumatic effects on Indigenous people who have suffered child abuse, neglect and incarceration in its various forms: residential schools, childcare system, youth detention centres and prisons. Based on his own life experiences, traditional Indigenous knowledge, the teachings of elders and his own research working with Indigenous men who have suffered abuse and incarceration, Dr. Michael Gauthier has developed an effective healing, rehabilitation and restorative system that not only can be applied to Indigenous people who have experienced trauma, pain and loss, but also anyone else, Indigenous and non- Indigenous, who desires healing and self- improvement. This book contains a practical toolkit and how to help those who need understanding, healing and a path to a happier, healthier and rewarding life." - Stewart Guiboche, Legal Counsel, Department of Justice, Canada (retired) Testimonial from the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network: "At the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network, we are dedicated to walking alongside Indigenous people in Nova Scotia who are navigating the criminal justice system. We know that intergenerational trauma, colonial disruption, and systemic inequities have shaped the paths of many of our clients—not by choice, but by legacy. The work shared in this book is both courageous and necessary. It reminds us that healing is not only possible, but powerful. The Medicine Wheel Tipi model and Restorying Your Story process offer a culturally grounded and spiritually resonant approach to supporting Indigenous individuals in reclaiming their voices and shaping new narratives for their lives. The idea that “we all start with a pure, clean slate” speaks to the belief we hold dearly—that our clients are not defined by what has happened to them or by what they have done, but by who they choose to become. This book, and the journey behind it, affirms what we at MLSN strive for every day: to provide tools, support, and space for Indigenous people to heal, grow, and move forward in strength and balance. We are honoured to explore these teachings and hopeful to share them with the individuals we serve." - Mi’kmaw Legal Support Networking