Getting to Know Native American Culture

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

A most excellent review....it will improve upon your understanding of health and NAI culture. Highly recommended.

Intro:

According to census figures, the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) population is growing rapidly. Furthermore, the population is young and geographically scattered. AI/AN peoples experience high rates of unemployment and poverty, and many encounter substandard housing, insufficient health care, and other socioeconomic obstacles that make day-to-day living a constant struggle. Yet Native Americans show inspiring internal reserves and strategies for survival. Further, many tribal groups have been successful in managing their resources in a way that enhances life conditions for all members in their tribal communities.

Concepts that are key to the cultural context, identity, adaptability, and perseverance of Native Americans include a holistic approach to life, a desire to promote the well-being of the group, an enduring spirit, and a respect for all ways of healing

This article is easy to read and simply breaks it down nicely. Please go here: http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=5.4.7a.htm&module=provider&language=English

[Medicine Eagle]

Once again, Thank you Thunderwolf. This was very informative.

TiredBraveHeart

[gayl01]

Thunderwolf, I take it from your name that you are Native American? Maybe? Sometimes that is not the case.

I have some questions about reservations in South Dakota.

Working with the Native Americans has been a passion of mine, the prospect of it excites me. I loved Native Americans since I was little. I was taught to respect and emulate them for their pride, honor, loyalty, spirituality and standing up for their beliefs.

Before I ever started LPN school, years ago, my intention was to work for the Indian Health Service and I was scared away due to seeing a documentary on Indian healthcare. I then later had life situations-health, finances, and I forgot about IHS.

I now have a BSN and I am now 44 and need to do this before I get older. I am single and do not have kids. The reason that I am saying this is that I do not have to have schools for a child or need a job for a spouse. I am pretty much free to go anywhere. If the aforementioned was true, of course this would affect my choices in reservations.

I know I will probably have a culture shock. First mainly from the small numbered bed hospitals. I am used to working in 300+ bed hospitals. I know that I will see a lot substance abuse, poor conditions especially if I travel to rural areas.

I am wondering about how they would receive a white nurse around the Rosebud, Pine Ridge Reservations. I wonder about the closest reservation to the Black Hills. I also am thinking about some Cherokee reservations in Oklahoma since I was told this is in my ancestry.

I am a gadget queen and I wonder if I would have to worry about my electronics or belongings being stolen while I am away from my apartment around the Rosebud or Pine Ridge reservations.

I need to know your impression of these reservations from other people's reports that you might have heard.

I also want to learn the Lakota language if I have to work with the elderly. I already have an elementary textbook with the CD on my iPod. I would like to find online language courses if they are available.

If any of these questions sound like a stupid tourist, I am sorry. No disrespect intended, esp. since I respect Native Americans so very much.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Interesting article. Thanks.

Not long ago I had to do diabetes education on a patient who spoke no English. The MD had charted that the patient "could not communicate" and the nurse had the impression she was mentally deficient. I managed to get out of the patient that she did not know English and was Choctaw. There is a large Choctaw population near here. I phoned the language line only to learn that Native American languages are not supported. Finally got family to interpret. The patient was a riot. By the time my interview was over I had her fried bread recipe and she had my grandmother's (Penobscot tribe) venison pie recipe.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

You all realize that this thread is 5 years old?