Who are we as Indian People?
• The original inhabitants of this country
• Diverse people from many tribes
• Distinct history, languages, cultures, traditions, social networks, governments
• Dual citizenship in any one of many different tribes
• May have red or blonde hair, be blue or green eyed, look like another ethnic race, as well as having the prevailing stereotypical characteristics
DIVERSITY!Indian people have differing:
• Identity: tribal, cultural, bi-cultural, non-traditional orientation
• Cultures, values, and practices;• Language/communication styles; • Lifestyles; geography; • Incomes, employment rates, education;• Health & illness beliefs; • Family structures/kinship relationships;• Spirituality & religious customs
General Native American Values
• Show Respect to Others - Each Person Has a Special Gift• Share What You Have - Giving Makes You Richer• Know Who You Are - You Are a Reflection on Your Family• Accept What Life Brings - You Cannot Control Many Things• Have Patience - Some Things Cannot Be Rushed• Live Carefully - What You Do Will Come Back to You• Take Care of Others - You Cannot Live Without Them• Honor Your Elders - They Show You the Way in Life• Pray for Guidance - Many Things Are Not Known• See Connections - All Things Are Related
Importance of Spirituality
• Spirituality
• Ritual
• Dreams
• Healing Practices
• Inter-Tribal Celebrations
Cultural Considerations
Religion/Spirituality
• Presiding religious/spiritual official
• Ceremony (may be a blending Christianity & Traditional Spirituality)
• American Indian Symbols– the use & practice of: •Tobacco
•Eagle Feathers
•Medicine Bag
•Sweat Lodge
• Cedar
• Sacred Pipe
• Smudging
• Indian Names
Our Voice
• Language
• Stories– Oral Tradition
• Drum and Song
The Next Generation
• View of Children– Blessing/Gift
• Number of Children• Child Care Customs
– Experiential learning• Role of Parents/Grandparent/
and Extended Family– Woman’s role as family caregiver
Native American ConceptsWellness/Health
• Results from harmony with nature• Is a balance between mind, body, emotions, &
spirit/soul, not the absence of disease• Relationships are an essential component• Spirituality/religion & medicine are inseparable• The spirit existed before it came to the body & will
exist after the body dies• Each of us is responsible for our own health• “Life-ways” are necessary to maintain health
Native American Concepts Healing
• Healing of one realm can bring about healing in another
• Spiritual realm is the most important
• Total treatments heal the mind, body, emotions, & spirit/soul
• Life comes from the Great Spirit from which all healing begins
• Mother Earth contains numerous remedies for our illnesses
• Traditional healers can be either men or women, young or elder, recognized by their community
Native American ConceptsDisease
• Damage to mind, body, emotions, &/or spirit can produce disease in same or different realm
• Illness is an opportunity to purify one’s soul• Natural un-wellness is caused by the violation of a
sacred or tribal taboo• Unnatural wellness is caused by evil• Dis“ease” is felt by the individual & their family
Native American Concepts
Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM)
• Openly practiced until 1887 when the Dawes’ Act was passed by the US Congress making TIM illegal
• Today, a majority of the 2 million Indians consult traditional healers
• 70% of Urban and 90% of Reservation based Indians use TIM
Cultural ConsiderationsTraditional Native Healers
• What traditional healers do best & different from contemporary clinicians: Pray, Listen, Time
• Native patients often go to traditional practitioner before seeking contemporary medical care
• Native patients seldom reveal their use of traditional healing methods and medicines
• Native patients value the healer’s advice over the physician’s if a disagreement arises
• Working with traditional healers
Cultural Considerations in Clinical Practice
Native American and Euro-American Cultural Values and Behaviors
• Please review handout comparing Native American and Euro-American Culture and Behaviors
Cultural Considerations
Language and Communication (verbal & non-verbal)
•Bilingual &/or Interpreter-translator
•What is not said is also important
•Word Phrasing – words have power to shape reality
• Individual speech style/pattern
Guidelines for Health Care Professionals
• Understand the culture of the people you’re caring for
• Understand your own cultural beliefs & biases
• Listen, be open-minded, avoid labeling
• Be respectful, courteous, & have a cooperative attitude
• Know your own & patient’s communication style
Cultural Considerations
Guidelines for Health Care Professionals
• Develop supportive cultural policies & educate all
staff
• Respect the therapeutic partnership of traditional healers & medicines with contemporary medicine
• Always ask, seldom assume
• Don’t assume one American Indian speaks for all American Indians or tribal governments