He also pulls bunches of long weeds in the prairie grass, to dry for use as a firestarter.
"I have to be careful," Hale says matter-of-factly as he pulls a few fistfuls. "Sometimes there are some snakes. Rattlesnakes. Nothing to mess around with."
He is 54 years old, aveteran of two Army combat tours in Vietnam, a member of the Lakota tribe and part of two stunning statistics, even as communities across America deal with the pain and challenges of recession:
The unemployment rate on his reservation runs higher than 80 percent;
Ziebach County, where he lives, is the nation's poorest, with just shy of 56 percent of its residents below the poverty line. Poverty among children in the county eclipses a staggering 70 percent.
After the Army, Hale worked 16 years as a firefighter. But he began having some back problems in the early 1980s and then, "cancer caught up with me. I have a brain tumor."
He says he gets a check for just shy of $17 every week from a tribal welfare fund, and tries to find odd jobs to pay for his food and to help out a diabetic sister.
But there's a catch: Tiny Cherry Creek has no such jobs. There are one or two one-room homes like Hale's, but it is mostly a collection of a couple dozen simple modular homes provided by a federal and tribal housing program. It doesn't even have a gas station or general store.
So Hale heads out most days toward Eagle Butte -- 17 miles up one road and then 21 miles more up the next. A few more twists and, "It's about 42 to 43 miles, someplace around there."
Specializes in Nurse Educator, Culturally Sensitive Nsg.
Natives want what we all do. To be treated with dignity and respect.
You can help by treating those you come accross kindly. By explaining what is happening to them in plain language. Not condescending, but clear.
You can help by not laughing, nodding, rolling your eyes, or agreeing with coworkers when they make rude comments about their NA patients. You can help by advocating for full assessments and equality when ETOH is blamed for whatever accident or illness put them in the hospital.
These things are a help, because when people are treated like PEOPLE, they are more willing to come to the clinic or the hospital for treatment before they are in need of amputations or other drastic measures. These things are a help, because when a young woman has a baby, and knows nothing about newborns, she will be more willing to bring her sick baby into the hospital for care, instead of being fearful that CPS will be called because her older children don't have perfectly fitting, stylish clothes to wear. She will be more willing to have a home health nurse come and give guidance, instead of being fearful that the peeling laminate floor and the broken front window will be cause for child neglect investigations. It is frustrating, but it's not hopeless.
I applaud your curiosity and willingness to help. Being openminded, and not beleiving all the stereotypical crap is a great start.
It's very easy to fixate on the negative, and forget the beauty, the culture, the people, that are at the heart of it.
Oh my gosh, I didn't even think about CPS. They don't still take "Indian Babies" away do they? I have a naive (perhaps) belief that CPS is there to help (with education, blankets etc) I cant imagine the fear of an NA mother taking a sick baby who might be taken away. Is there a culture of breast feeding among NA? Are there grandmotherly wise women? I know this is like trying to catagorize people, for instance I have been in inner city slums where there are many superstitions or beliefs about things, but babies do return to these slums and many thrive. You have to think about how much is just our beliefs that we try to impose upon people--when they have their own native intelligence and culture. But the universal language is kindness and respect--and there are things we know and there are things they know. We, of course, are not better. Hell, we are not even really in charge of anything, just trying to make little differences as we travel this world together!
Specializes in Nurse Educator, Culturally Sensitive Nsg.
I don't know what the rates of CPS intervention are. I just know that many young women, when referred outside of our facility, will not get any maternity related care.
We have WIC staff that emphasize breastfeeding, we have peer breastfeeding counselors. I suppose rates of breastfeeding are much like the general population. I've never looked at the stats.
Specializes in Nurse Educator, Culturally Sensitive Nsg.
As to your above comment, yes, Pine Ridge is a place with many needs, from what I've read. I've never been there. Not all reservations are the same.
There are traditional healers in many tribes. We have some that come and see our patients when requested. We also have a sweat lodge on site, regularly smudged facilities, and exam rooms called, "Healing Rooms". Very cool, I must say!
Now, I don't expect every non rez facility to be as accepting as our awesome place is, but have you ever heard nursing staff's snide remarks at a hospital when a medicine man comes in to see a patient? It's sad. Whatever happened to holistic care?
I'm happy to have found a place that people are actually interested in chatting a bit and maybe improving their own practice for minority clients! :-)
I think there is a growing awareness of alternative medicine and holistic practises. For instance, we now know that ice water is not given to certain Asian people when ill or post-partum because they, like some Latin Americans, believe that hot is healing and cold is not healing. We know that for some cultures we must talk to the male HOH, also we know that traditional Chinese will nod and smile but may not agree with you but are being polite. There are people who use aura healing, and some people have a talisman at the bedside. You have to be sensitive and feel your way through sometimes to make sure you're on the same page. Some like a priest, some like a rabbi, some like a healer. And some like chicken soup! I guess you can teach medicine but you can't teach compassion.
Specializes in Nurse Educator, Culturally Sensitive Nsg.
True dat! LOL
Thing is, with NA pt's, you can't generalize anything.... they may or may not adhere to old ways. They may or may not be insulted if you treat them as if they do. Every tribe is different, with different beleifs and customs. And every individual is different in the intensity and scope of their own belief system. It's all about being sensitive to the individual patient, and responding to their needs at that time.
Have you read the book, 'The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down"? If you haven't, go get it ASAP! Such a good eye opener for those that haven't had first hand experience w/ other cultures!
Rainey,have you always worked with Native Americans? And do you work in a facility? Do you think Native Americans have an gene for addiction? I do. My dad always warned me,Julie,if you drink,your gonna "break bad" lol. He is right! I am much better talking in person than typing on computer. Rainey,do you see a cluster of autoimmune disease where you work? This is sooooooooooo interesting!
Th more I research this the more ****** off I am getting. My family is from appalachia,poor,poverty,you know the story. I had always been so focused on where My people come from that I am ashamed 2 say,I hd no idea,it's so bad in other places. In fact,for NA worse! I am just gonna blurt this out,and I always get lectured by my dad 2 keep my piehole shut,do what I can,and stay calm.(MODERATOR EDIT OF RACIST NAME),greedy,no soul,sons of ******* came along and ruined everything! The native americans lived the way god intended. PERIOD! The amish have it down. But, (MODERATOR EDIT OF RACIST NAME),wow. And,hey,I am white,I am part cherokee,i am registered on the eastern roll,I do not use my resources for gov. assistance cuz I hate the government. Always have. Just recently got a computer cuz I loathe what it is doing 2 people's communication skills,putting people out of jobs cuz technology can do it better. I am a homehealth nurse,9 yrs,I went in2 homecare cuz It WAS personal,going into peoples homes,poor,rich,black,white,it was true social interacton,than............We went to computer charting,so i lug this huge freaking contraption in2 the home,and now,social interaction wth my pts.,is lacking. And not a damn thing I can do about it. Sorry guys. had to vent. much better at venting in person.
Specializes in Nurse Educator, Culturally Sensitive Nsg.
Julieanneb,
It sounds like you do have some familiarity with some of the injustices and frustrations many minority populations face.
I do work in a Tribal facility, but its an amazing one that works incredibly hard to take good care of our clients. I lived most of my life on a rural reservation, but only completed my BSN last December. I work as an educator, spending time in both community health and our urgent care, working on developing culturally sensitive teaching materials, and contributing to various projects. There are a number of dz processes we are focusing on with our pop, but autoimmune issues aren't really high up there....DM, Asthma, COPD, obesity, HTN, CHF, MRSA, and chronic pain control are among those currently focused on. I don't knknow how the autoimmune rates compare to the general population, but believe there has been an increase in ai dz dxs in the overall population.
Definately an increase in ai. I,myself have ms. That's y curious bout your tribe. Y do u think ai so on the rise? Stress? Environmental factors? I have become so intrigued with the "theory's" of ai. Rainey,I knit hats for my ca pts.,Do any of your tribal members need a warm head? I am so angry. I can crank out so many hats a week. Can I help? Can I do something? People need 2 take care of people. The way the Na did b4 (MODERATOR EDIT OF VERY DISRESPECTFUL RACIST REMARK) came along. And the government does not give 10million ***** about "we,the people" What a hoot. oooof I could go on and on. But my getting rowled up not good for ai,so "they" say,yet "they" give so many roadblocks 2 go through for proper care,AND I AM INSURED WITH A JOB!sickening. What can I do for where you are?
Some of the replies in this thread are very disrespectful to members of other races.
Referring to any race in a disparaging manner will not be tolerated and future posts will be edited and/or deleted with points assigned.
I am sorry.I am part cherokee part caucasion. I know,I lose it somtimes. wont happen again. I didnt intend for it 2 be disrepectful 2 other races. I am a nurse,I deal with allllll races. Race was not my point,but again,Ive said it b4,I cannot really get across my feelings on a computer. better in person. I apologize.
RaineyRN
59 Posts
Natives want what we all do. To be treated with dignity and respect.
You can help by treating those you come accross kindly. By explaining what is happening to them in plain language. Not condescending, but clear.
You can help by not laughing, nodding, rolling your eyes, or agreeing with coworkers when they make rude comments about their NA patients. You can help by advocating for full assessments and equality when ETOH is blamed for whatever accident or illness put them in the hospital.
These things are a help, because when people are treated like PEOPLE, they are more willing to come to the clinic or the hospital for treatment before they are in need of amputations or other drastic measures. These things are a help, because when a young woman has a baby, and knows nothing about newborns, she will be more willing to bring her sick baby into the hospital for care, instead of being fearful that CPS will be called because her older children don't have perfectly fitting, stylish clothes to wear. She will be more willing to have a home health nurse come and give guidance, instead of being fearful that the peeling laminate floor and the broken front window will be cause for child neglect investigations. It is frustrating, but it's not hopeless.
I applaud your curiosity and willingness to help. Being openminded, and not beleiving all the stereotypical crap is a great start.
It's very easy to fixate on the negative, and forget the beauty, the culture, the people, that are at the heart of it.