COMING OF AGE: OVERCOMING TRAUMA TO ACHIEVE SELF-DETERMINATION By Elaine Alec (teɬkənitkʷ) What if coming of age wasn't about age at all-but about remembering who you are? In this powerful blend of memoir, Indigenous wisdom, and healing framework , author and community leader Elaine Alec shares her journey of overcoming addiction, shame, and generational trauma to reclaim her identity and voice. Through personal stories, cultural teachings, and practical tools from her Cultivating Safe Spaces framework, this book offers a pathway to emotional healing, self-determination, and reconnection . This is not just a story of survival-it's a call to remember your humanness, to break generational cycles, and to step into your purpose with clarity and courage. Grounded in the lived experiences of a syilx and secwepemc woman, Coming of Age is for anyone seeking to heal from trauma, embrace their identity, and transform how they relate to themselves and the world around them. Perfect for readers of self-help, trauma recovery, Indigenous leadership, and personal growth. Keywords: self-determination; trauma recovery; Indigenous wisdom; emotional healing; personal growth; Cultivating Safe Spaces; decolonization; breaking generational cycles; memoir and guide; healing from colonialism