Native Americans

Native AmericansNursing 310 Josha Harvey Amber Kulppi Ashley Cruz

Demographic dataNative Americans used to be a huge population in the United States until the 15th century. Europeans invaded their land bringing animals, such as horses, causing the Native Americans to get diseases such as small pox and measles because they had no immunity to them.Today Native Americans are the smallest minority in the United States and only count for 1.4% of the population living mostly on Indian Reservations. Native Americans live longer than most Americans with little health problems from heart disease, AIDS and cancer. Mostly live in states such as: Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, California, North and South Dakota and Washington.Tend to have lower income, higher poverty and higher unemployment.

Demographic dataHouseholds are considered Family Households.33% of Native Americans are under the age of 18.Less likely to graduate high school.Main spoken language is English, others speak another language.More likely to have AIDS/HIV and type 2 diabetes. Increased alcoholism and suicide rates.Native Americans suffer higher rates of death caused by alcoholism than other American populations as a whole.

Beliefs & practicesThere are different cultures practiced. This is based on regional, geographical, and socio-economical location.Spiritually close with mother nature and honor tradition.Belief in a higher god and use resources from the earth.Believed that all illnesses are caused by:Demonical interferenceMalignant spiritsSorceryFailure to perform an important ritual

Beliefs & PracticesSome believe that their mental illness is a reaction to the history of forced oppression and trauma faced by Native Americans following the arrival of European settlersThe cries of westward ho and manifest destiny in American history brought warfare and new strains of physical disease to many tribes and decimated their populations Some people believe a history of psychological distress that has resulted from: GenocideEthnic cleansingForced acculturation

The Medicine man (Shaman)Also known as The Great SpiritPriestly healer and spiritual leader obtains solutions to sickness through supernatural realms.The keeper of myths, legends, traditions and tribal wisdom.Mystic and possessed with the ability to leave the body and communicate with the spirit worldProphet.Head warrior or war chief that makes them the most influential within the tribe.Carries a medicine bag that is kept around the healers neck.Has items from the Medicine Man that contains different things from a plant, animal or mineral kingdom.

Herbal remedies The Shaman, who was trained by an elder, spent his life identifying and collecting herbal medicine plants.Methods in the preparation of Herbal Medicinal Plants included making infusions (hot teas), decoctions (boiled teas), tinctures (alcohol and water extracts), macerations (cold soaking), ointments, poultices, and salves.Herbal medicines are used to treat numerous different illnesses such as: hypertension, respiratory distress, burns, analgesics, anticonvulsive, animal bite remedies, anti-emetic, sedative, anti-diarrheal, etc.

Application and use of herbal medicinal plants Poultice: A Poultice was used for boils, abscesses, chest infections and sprains. Chopped herb or powdered seeds are mixed with boiling water to make a pulp that is piece of hide or leaves and applied to the affected area while hot.

Compress: The Compress was used to treat injuries, fevers and headaches. A material is soaked in a hot decoction of herb, with the addition of tinctures of other herbs and the compress is applied to the affected area.

Infusion (Hot Tea): An infusion is used to treat ailments such as colds and flu. The leaf, flower or part of the plant is used and steeped in hot water (not boiled). Best used with leafy and tender herbs as opposed to roots and barks.

Decoction (Boiled Tea): A decoction is used to treat a variety of illnesses including to treat kidney disease, swelling, and stomach problems. Stems, roots, seeds and bark are mashed and the boiled to primarily extract oils and mineral salts, rather than vitamins.

Essential Oils: Essential oils are used as an eyewash, mouthwash, or to treat cuts and abrasions. Essential oils are distilled from plants or by cold extraction. Usually they are mixed with water and used as an inhalant or as a tea.

Macerations (Cold Soaking: Herbs are made soft by steeping or soaking in a water and alcohol solution. Tinctures are used for high blood pressure and heart problems

Interaction with modern medicineMay not be seen as useful or have any value to some people.Not understood by a lot of physicians.Herbal remedies may have interactions with prescribed medications. Each holistic healer treats each individual person not as a disease or whole.Must keep open mind to all cultures so patients feel open and tell us what types of remedies they are using.

Communication barriers that can be encountered when caring for native AmericansCommunicate a great deal through non-verbal gesturesAs health care providers we must observe carefully to avoid misinterpretation of non-verbal behaviorNative Americans often use humor to convey truths that are painfulMay also tell stories (traditional or personal) in order to make a pointAsking for clarification about sensitive topics is considered invasiveOffensive behaviors considered:Arms crossedExcessive eye contactLoud and excessive talking

Cultural factorsNative Americans Direct eye contact is a sign on respectHandshake lightly, some woman only touch the finger tipsInformation is passed by word of mouth rather than the mediaPersonal information not forth comingIdeas and feelings conveyed through behavior rather than speechWords are chosen carefully and deliberately, as the power of words is understoodListening is valued over talkingUse of observation skills and non-verbal communicationTodays SocietyDirect eye contact considered sign of honesty and sincerityFirm hand shake denotes powerLectures, newspapers, TV, radio, and internet is utilizedSelf-disclosure valued, open and honest communication styleVerbal expression of ideas and feelingsVerbosity and small talk is appropriate social behavior Schools teach speaking over listening, importance of expressing ones opinionVerbal and written communication valued

Health risk factorsAlcohol Abuse Coronary Artery Disease high blood pressure, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol use, diet, physical exercise, diabetes.Diabetes Pancreatic disease, obesity.Cirrhosis Chronic alcohol abuse. Obesity Poor diet, unavailable resources for food, lack of exercise.

Other risk factors include: Suicide, respiratory Infections, stroke, influenza, and kidney disease

Environment and community risk factorsThe median income for a Native American family is $35,062 compared to the national average of $50,04628.4% of Native Americans live in poverty Graduate rate is 17% lower than the national averageTwice as likely as any other race to die before the age of 24They have a 2.3% higher risk of trauma, and 1 in 2 Native American women will be raped in her lifetimeThe rate of abuse and neglect is also twice the national average

Objective Assist Native American children in understanding that they are an important part of their culture and are worthwhileTeach coping skills and available resources for crisis interventionEducate about substance abuse and reducing the risk ofAnti-violence education and a no tolerance policySet up school programs to teach coping skills, stress management, substance abuse education and to provide an on-site counselor or psychologist for any child that needs or wants help.

The national congress of American Indians (Ncai)Advocate for rights and protecting their culture and traditonsProvide youth programs to help teach self-esteem and confidence and reduce negative feelings of themselvesHave culture and community support

Michigan department of human servicesIndian outreach program Provide culturally competent information and referral servicesAdvocate for tribal families in many settings including education

Perhaps the greatest impetus for change regarding alcohol use in the Indian communities has been revitalization of Indian culture (Beauvais, 1998)

American Indian services, inc. Part of the department of human services (DHS)First American youth program Counseling and therapy

PLAN Teachers, Nurses and DHS workers INVOLVEDNCAIAmerican Indian Services, INC.Start with the children

EvaluationThis is a long-term programEvaluation will occur when the children are adultsThere will need to be statistics collected before and after the program is initiated on alcoholism rates in the communityPost-graduation surveys

ReferencesBeauvais, F. (1998). American Indians and alcohol. Alcohol Health and Research World, 22(4), 253-259. Centers for Disease Control, 2014. Health of American Indian or Alaskan Native Population. Office of Information Services (July 14, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/american-indian-health.htm Department of Human Services. (2014). Native American resources. Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_7209_7885---,00.html

Herbal Medicinal Plants. (2014). Native American Culture. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-American-culture/herbal-medicinal-plants.htmHorwitz, S. (2014, February 12). The hard lives-and high suicide rates-of Native American children on reservations. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-hard-lives--and-high-suicide-rate--of-native-american-children/2014/03/09/6e0ad9b2-9f03-11e3-b8d8-94577ff66b28_story.html Medicine Man. (2014). Native American Culture. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-American-culture/medicine-man.htm

referencesNative American/Alaska Native Traditional Healing. (2014). Introduction. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/Native American Culture Facts. Native American Art History. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.nativeamericanarthistory.com/native-american-culture-facts/ Native American Demograhics, (2014). The Impact of. Retrieved July 13, 2014, from http://tribaldirectory.com/information/native-american-demographics.htmlNational Congress of American Indians. (2014). Retrieved from www.ncai.orgPender, N., Murdaugh, C., & Parsons, M. A. (2011).Assessing health and health behaviors. Health promotion in nursing practice. (6th ed. pp. 38-40). Upper Saddle River, NJ: PiersonSpillane, N. S. & Smith, G. T. (2007). A theory of reservation-dwelling American Indian alcohol use risk. Psychological Bulletin, 113(3), 395-418. doi: 10.1037/0033.2909.133.3.395United States Census Bureau, (2011, Nov. 1). American Indian and Alaskan Native heritage month. Profile America, facts for features. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special editions/cb11-ff22.html