Member comments regarding the NAI (patient) Nursing forum

Nemhain · Mar 4, 2006

Hello! I thought I'd just voice my support for this forum and I hope we get some great threads. I am part Lakota (maternal), but I was not raise in the native tradition, however, my mother's side of the family seems to have all of the usual NAI health issues (more than half have diabetes and almost everyone's had their gallbladder out).

I do understand that NAIs are a population that don't have access to many preventative measures (health screenings or education) that would certainly make a significant difference in health. I hope this will change.

Nemhain

suebird3 · Mar 4, 2006

Congratulations on the new Forum, my brother. I look forward to keeping up with the posts. :)

Suebird

nativehealer · Mar 4, 2006

As a Moderator of this New Forum, I am most interested in reading member comments that they would wish to share or ask.
Since this forum was born today 3/4/2006, be a little patient. Please let the Mission Statement of this forum be your beginning path in posting. I encourage members to read it (see the other thread). Look forward to seeing your posts.

Thunderwolf My Brother, Brian does have good wisdom. I believe this will help the many, both Native and other to understand the ways of the Native Beliefs. For the Native Americans are a religious people, including the way they practice medicine.

Native

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

thanks, folks.

at this time in this forum's development, i am trying to devote attention each night on the net to bring articles on nai health/wellness and illness to place on the board for members. some is not so cheery, i know. our people have suffered much in the past, and still do. i wish to educate and not sugar coat. if i find cheery and uplifting articles, i will post them. but, i post what i find. i also encourage members to do the same. it is not my forum, but yours as members. please make a thread or post if you find something of interest. if you wish siri or me to locate a nai health subject on the net and you do not have time, please pm either one of us. also, regular threads for discussion can be posted too...regarding nai culture, beliefs, practices, etc. this is also important for us as health care professionals in order to assist us in becoming more culturally sensitive and respectful when caring for nais. hopefully, this forum will also attract other nais to post and educate us all as well. i am no expert. i will never claim that. but, my heart is in the right place.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 7, 2006

thanks, folks.
at this time in this forum's development, i am trying to devote attention each night on the net to bring articles on nai health/wellness and illness to place on the board for members. some is not so cheery, i know. our people have suffered much in the past, and still do. i wish to educate and not sugar coat. if i find cheery and uplifting articles, i will post them. but, i post what i find. i also encourage members to do the same. it is not my forum, but yours as members. please make a thread or post if you find something of interest. if you wish siri or me to locate a nai health subject on the net and you do not have time, please pm either one of us. also, regular threads for discussion can be posted too...regarding nai culture, beliefs, practices, etc. this is also important for us as health care professionals in order to assist us in becoming more culturally sensitive and respectful when caring for nais. hopefully, this forum will also attract other nais to post and educate us all as well. i am no expert. i will never claim that. but, my heart is in the right place.

i see from where you come, thunderwolf. to educate about the nai belief system and cultural practices is laced with mystery and intrigue. romanticized to a degree, if you will.

but, there are cold hard facts and heart-breaking truths that we must share as well.

yes, thunderwolf and i are here to help answer any question you may have. we, as he so wisely stated, are no experts........but, as ever-present patient advocates, we will attempt to locate the information and find the answers.

wadv (thank you)

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

Thanks, Siri...for a most honest reminder. Regarding NAI practices, I have no desire to expose or discuss what is considered sacred. Nor will I discuss something in order to pretend that I know what I am talking about in order to hold myself out. If I don't know something, I will research it....I guess Grad school was good for something. In much of a way, I am but a babe to my roots and see myself a forever student. However, I will post what I find on the NET (common knowledge on the netwaves) or what can be easily found in any book in the library. You are most correct about the romanticizing aspect....and not my or your intention at all. For much of what I've posted thus far is hardly romantic, it has been very sober and humbling. I understand much now as to why my uncle long ago cried with his heart about the state of our people. They have faced much. However, I do not wish this forum to be a depressing one, but a truthful one. I wish to educate others in what I find (others are welcome to do the same), for us as members to discuss issues, and for us to grow as better nurses...sensitive to the needs of these people. In a nutshell, that is my mission and the cornerstone of this forum's mission statement. Thank you, Siri, for the affirmation and gentle reminder. Members need to have this understanding we both share between us. For us with NAI descent, I wish for us to be proud of our heritage...but, at the same time, to not ignore our realities.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

I received a PM from canoehead about the today's threads posted by myself. She gives me permission to post it here so that I may post my reply to it as well. Thank you, canoehead.

The PM reads:

Originally Posted by canoehead

I was initially interested in the new Native American forum, but now I don't get it. What do all these articles have to do with nursing? It's great information, but not nursing stuff. Your posts are thoughtful and informative, so you must have more in mind than what I am getting.

If the information on casinos, drum etiquette etc can be related back to nursing care I'm all for it.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

My reply PM to canoehead read as follows:

Very good point.

I am glad you asked.

Much of what folks have trouble with in working with NAIs is misperception, stereotypes, personal prejudices, and just plain cultural ignorance. I attempted to address this tonight. A little departure from the negative/poor health statistics that this population has to face. As a nurse, these are some of the things to be very mindful of in providing care, in having conversation, and in working with the families. Ignorance is not bliss...it just causes more distance between the health care professional and the NAI patient.

Thanks for asking for clarification.

I am sure you will not be the last to ask.

Was this helpful?

Wolfie

I thought that this PM was relevant because other members may have had or shared similar thoughts. I post nothing without thought behind it. Rest assured, there was no deviation from the forum's mission statement.

Thanks, canoehead, for the PM.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

to verify to members that permission was granted by canoehead to post our interaction, the following is presented:

re: may i post your pm and my reply pm in the comments sticky thread

quote:

originally posted by thunderwolf

would this be ok with you?

definitely, thanks for your quick reply.

---------------------------------

again, thanks, canoehead.

seanymph · Mar 19, 2006

Hi,

Thank you for starting this forum. It will give me a reason to to retrun to allnurses.com. i had stopped coming since they made so many things (ie: break room) for premium members only.

I am not Native, but my S.O. and "sons" are and I take a very special interest in their culture and health issues, so I am looking forward to your forum.

Seanymph

ursulanursula · Oct 13, 2006

Hi Thunderwolf.

I just noticed this forum today and was very pleased. I am starting a new job next month and many of my patients will be Native Canadian, Metis in particular. I really hope to gain some understanding by reading posts on this forum.

Thanx,

Ursula