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