...April 2015 The Native American Indian with Respect to Healthcare and Religious Practices Carrie Johnson The American Native Indian culture has used alternative medicine and tribal rituals for many centuries. This culture has used natural remedies to treat and cure diseases and aliments within their tribe. The term “Medicine Man” is coined from the Native American Indian tribes. The person who held this title was generally an elder of the tribe. The inflicted person(s) would seek out the elder or “Medicine Man” to treat their sickness. The tribe will use natural substances and tribal rituals as their source for treating diseases and illnesses. A few examples of natural elements are plants and root extracts from their demographic region. Examples of customary rituals could include: chants, dances and prayers. Another unique custom of the tribe is the involvement of the tribe in rituals to treat the sickness of a tribal member. Cultures that exist outside of the tribe may have some difficulty understanding their cultural beliefs and alternative practices, but these practices have been around for centuries. The following are census facts and demographic statistics of the Native American Indian: “Total American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) alone population: 2.9 million or about 0.9 percent of the US population. About 32% of Natives are under the age of 18, compared to only 24% of the total population...
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...NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CULTURE Native American Indian medicine historically was viewed with “superstition and thought” and “inferior to sophisticated medicinal practices of the early colonists’ (Portman, pg. 454) Many early colonists were treated with Native-American treatments and survived showing that such treatments were “successful in the context” (Portman, pg. 454) of the time period. Native-American healing practices are viewed as scared and are between the person seeking treatment and the healer. “There is a belief that the person being healed does not necessarily need to know all of the details of how the medicine man is healing them. The person “accepts that the medicine will work” Native-Americans “do not question things as much” and “accept that the healer or medicine man is going to heal them. The person does not need to know the details of why the healing occurs” (Portman, pg. 455) Native American healing traditions is defined as “to restore an individual to a healthy state using traditional medicines, such as healing and purification ceremonies, teas, herbs, special foods, and special activities such as therapeutic sings, prayers, chants, dancing and sand painting” (Portman, pg. 255) Native-American healing practices are directly related to four constructs: 1. Spirituality – Creator, Mother Earth, Great Father 2. Community – Tribe, Family 3. Environment – Daily life, nature, balance 4. Self – Inner passions, thoughts and values Spirituality...
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...htmlProf. Goux ART-5 1 June, 2015 The Mandala: A Comparison of Tibetan Buddhist and Native America Culture Early non-western thought often revolved around the concept of cyclical time. The circularity (a perfection that can never truly be attained in reality due the inevitable variation on the most infinitesimal level) was commonly represented in art and could often be intended to represent cyclical time or the cyclical nature of the world. Mandalas, which are literally translated as circles of essence, were used to represent a sense of order that seemed apparent in the universe at the time of ancient humans. Now, this thought should not be thought of as primitive, like most early western historians would inaccurately assume. The cyclical time and circular order of the universe seemed to be inherent in the common lives of early civilizations, and they simply applied their own form of logic to make predictions about the world around them. So, at its core, this can be considered quite advanced. The most renowned forms of mandalas are apparent in Hinduism and subsequently Buddhism; however, it is now clear that Native Americans also created such “mandalas” with similar social and religious applications. The Native American circles of essence were essentially medicine wheels (although many circular spiritual forms of art existed also). With this regard the Mandala will be related to the medicine wheel. In addition, the symbolism of such art is extremely similar and corresponds with...
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...FAITH DIVERSITY Grand Canyon University HLT310V July 08, 2012 Abstract Americans live in the land of free where decisions primarily are ours to make from what pair of shoes to wear, what we ingest, what kind of car we drive to who we vote into the oval office. The same holds true for one’s religious and/or spiritual beliefs. Whether by choice or by upbringing in one’s family and culture, not everyone shares the same philosophy towards a higher power or modern medicine. Healing is a process toward wholeness or wellness and encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and tribal attributes (Zarren, n.d.). Not only does it focus on the disease or illness, but additionally embodies a holistic approach to care. What may not be important to the physician, nurse, or support staff is important to the patient; for it is the patient and their families that we serve. Spirituality is personal and important to everyone. Defined as, “a complex and multidimensional part of the human experience-our inner belief system. It helps individuals search for the meaning and purpose of life, and it helps them experience hope, love, inner peace, comfort, and support.” (Ashcraft, Anthony, & Mancuso, 2010). With this in mind, healthcare providers and institutions need to be cognizant of various faiths and spiritual practices to allow for healing of an individual stricken with disease or illness. In looking at Native American, Muslim, and Buddhism faiths the intent is to identify what rituals, practices...
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...CHAPTER TWO: NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIONS Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries Introduction: The Challenges in Studying Native American Religions A. The Contemporary Revival of Interest in Native American Religions 1. Important Role in History of North America 2. Emphasis on Nature and Personal Religious Experience 3. Absence of Formal Organizational Structure B. A Wider Variety of Religious Types Under One Heading 1. A Fifteen to Twenty Thousand Year Legacy 2. Geographic Spread Across a Continent 3. Numerous Forms of Social and Economic Organization C. A Dearth of Reliable Sources on Native American Religions 4. Literary Sources from Only Past Four Hundred Years, with Best Sources from Past One Hundred Years 5. Difficulty of Identifying a Pure Type: Many Changes Fostered by Engagement with Europeans 6. Archaeology Provides Some Clues to Pre-European Era 7. The Necessity of Generalizing about the Entire Field The Spirit World A. A Mixture of Polytheism, Monotheism, and Monism B. Native American Religions Tend Toward Polytheism 1. The World Populated by Numerous Spirits 2. Mother Earth at Heart of Nature 3. Deities Represented by Natural Forces C. Native American Religions Tend Toward Monotheism and Monism1. The Supreme Being / High God Above Lesser Deities 2. High God Generally Uninvolved in World—Lower Deities Hold Sway over Nature and Everyday Life 3. High...
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...Running Head: Native American Cultural Native American Cultural Impact on Healthcare Sherry Phillips Grand Canyon University NUR-502 March 25, 2015 Native American Cultural Impact on Healthcare Culture plays a unique and significant role going to healthcare process. Each culture has their own belief systems and values. Native American make up 1% of the population in the United States ("Diversity: Understanding and Teaching Diverse Students," n.d.). Understanding their system of beliefs and values would help to benefit Native American women during the prenatal care. When nurses become culturally competent in their care, not only do the patients benefit but the healthcare system does as well. It is important to understanding the Native American culture in order to facilitate their healthcare. Summary of Article One article that discussed Native American women and their prenatal care is “Living in Two Worlds: Native American Women and Prenatal Care.” This article discusses a study that looked at traditional practices related to pregnancy and compare them to current practices related to prenatal care. The review of literature look at barriers to prenatal care that resulted from conflicts between traditional practices and Western Medicine (Long & Curry, 1998). Focus groups were held to look at exploring traditional beliefs and ways to improve prenatal care (Long & Curry, 1998). The authors chose the focus groups from two sites in Oregon (Long...
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...Alcohol Use and Native American Populations Alcohol Use and Native American Populations Alcohol consumption by Native Americans is higher than all other ethnic groups or subgroups in the United States. Roots of the epidemic of alcohol-related problems among many Native Americans are in response to European arrival. Initially, Native American's responses to alcohol were heavily influenced by the example of White frontiersmen. Whites also deliberately pressed alcohol upon the natives because it was an immensely profitable trade good; in addition, alcohol was used as a tool of "diplomacy" in official dealings between authorities and natives. Compared with the U.S. population in general, the Native American population is especially at risk for alcohol related consequences. Prior to colonization, the Native Americans had been naïve to the effects of distilled spirits, having used only weaker fermented beverages for religious ceremonies. The cultural beliefs, risk behaviors, consequences, population at risk, a cultural plan of action, ways to modify behavior, and community/national resources regarding Native Americans and alcohol will be discussed. Cultural Beliefs and Assumptions The primitive religions of the Native Americans were based on the culture of Animism. Animism is a religion based on the spiritual idea that the universe, and all natural objects within the universe, has souls or spirits. In this religion it is believed that souls or spirits exist not only in humans...
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...modern, western medicine. All have factors that affect the ability to provide the best care to the people of their lands. This paper will also dive into the history from which the techniques come and discuss how the changes that have been made to the techniques are changing the people and will continue to affect them into the future. One thing that is common and ubiquitous between the two tribes is that most of their knowledge was passed down orally. The primary healer in Mapuche medicine were the Machi, or Mapuche shaman. These shaman would use a variety of techniques to heal those who sought them which largely involved altered states of consciousness including dreams, visions and trances. In this altered state the Machi would often experience possession and rebirth. These techniques and stories were most commonly passed down orally through biographies and mythohistories which contain elements of normal linear story telling along with cyclical story telling. Time and events move along in a scientifically linear temporal fashion and yet events also repeat in similar formats, seeming to have ties to the past (Raimondi, 2013). In total there are three types of healers in Mapuche medicine including the Machi. As shared by Cruz-Coke (1995) the first is the Vileus. These individuals worked mostly after the arrival of the Spanish and believed that disease was caused by insects and worms. These beliefs are very similar to what is understood in modern, western medicine with most disease...
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...religion plays a major role to many and with that healthcare providers need to be aware of their own beliefs, while maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for the patients they are caring for and their beliefs. Patients along with nurses often look to their faith when in times of stress and illness. This paper will discuss the Native American spirituality philosophy compared to the Christian philosophy. Native American Spirituality According to the United States census (2000) “4.3 million people (1.5% of the total United States population) self-identified as American Indian or Alaska Native (as cited in Hubbert, 2008). Native American healing practices may include traditional healers such as medicine men and women, herbalists, and shaman who work to return the individual to optimal health. Rituals of healing and purification ceremonies, sand painting, spiritual chants, dancing, therapeutic sings, along with special herbs, teas, foods and activities may be participated in (Braswell & Wong, 1994). Their perspective is healing should be a combination of both the spiritual and the physical. Lacking an understanding of Native American health as holistic in mind, body, spirit, and nature as one in harmony and where illness is seen as a disruption within this harmony will hinder appropriate...
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...system to accommodate the patient base. Unfortunately, not all changes have been able to effectively reach any and all persons from every background. We still see language and cultural barriers that have direct correlation to the inability to seek healthcare and or the ability to change cultural perspectives to ensure healthy lifestyles. Within this paper, the health of American Indian and Alaskan Native populations will be discussed along with the barriers to care and the health disparities within this culture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the number of American Indian or Alaskan Native (AI/AN) residents residing within the US was 4.5 million in 2013 and among that population 14.3% were considered in fair or poor health (CDC, 2016. p.1). Taking into consideration cultural and geographic location, one may think that number would be higher. There is a predominant amount of people within the selected group that live off the grid, which makes means for proper healthcare almost none existent. Traditional health remedies within this group also makes seeking out modern medicine a non-likely occurrence. Because of these barriers, the current health status of the described group is fair to poor with a high instance of very poor within the elder populations. Irene Vernon, a professor at Colorado State University states, “We are the sickest racial, ethnic population in the United States” (Gordon, 2014. p. 2). Taking into consideration that AI/AN...
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... he painted them as frightening creatures. Picasso was not out to destroy the women he loved. Painting was Picassos way of expressing himself and letting things go, just as a person might do by writing in a diary. It was his way of expressing his feelings. Picasso did not paint these portraits with the intention of them going up on museum walls. He sold them because he had to make a living. Picasso’s paintings had meaning even though nobody ever really understood them. His portraits and paintings were abstract and had a meaning to him. Even though he never intended for these pictures to be in museums, they were. Picasso became a very successful and famous artist over the years. Howling Wolf’s Treaty Signing at Medicine Creek Lodge Howling...
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...pastoralists. How does a pastoralist society impact beliefs and values, healing and sickness, and kinship of the Navajo culture? These are the three aspects I plan to discuss and prove that the Navajo Nation is a Nation within a Nation. The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering 27,425 square miles, occupying portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. (Linford, 2000) The Navajo reservation is the largest Indian tribe in North America. The Navajo’s are a pastoral and agriculture society. They use farming and herding as their primary mode of subsistence. The Navajo culture is of spiritual nature. The Dine` believes in having a spiritual relationship with their land. The Navajo’s are known as people who are in tune with the spiritual world, and they are spiritual beings. The Navajo wish to live their culture and lives without interference of the Western World government. “We do not like relief and want to make our own living and we know we can do so if we are left alone.”(Lee, 2007). According to Clah Cheschillige, in the 19th century and the first half of the twentieth century, Congress wanted all Native Americans to conform to the western society. (Lee, 2007) Before 1923, the Navajo nation didn’t have a western world government. They were their own people, living in their own Nation. “Nationalism is the devotion to the interest or culture of one’s own nation.”(Lee,2007) It...
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...11/10/11 Foundations of HPE 8:00 Native American Influence on Sport Looking at today's sports it would be hard to guess that Native Americans had any type of influence on sports and recreation. The famous sports today make it hard to notice any type of culture mix other than a large debate about mascots. The larger and better known sports (football, baseball, basketball) all have hardly been influenced by Native Americans. Although, there are many ways the Native Americans have influenced recreaction we participate in and spectate today. The little effect has usually come from elite athletes with a strong Native American background. Jim Thorpe was naturally athletic and excelled in every sport he participated in. His credentials are a perfect example; he was a 2 time college football All American for Carlisle Pennsylvania. He also won many gold medals in the 1912 Olympics in the decathlon and pentathlon (Sports Experience, 1999)."Jim's contemporaries, including George Halas, give full credit to Jim Thorpe for the great success, the early success, in the formative years of the NFL." once said by Robert Wheeler. Another example is coach Phil Jackson (former Chicago Bulls head coach and present L.A. Lakers head coach), who used Native American superstition to improve the attitude of his players, including Michael Jordan (hall of famer), Kobe Bryant, and Shaq O’Neil. Coach Jackson used similar techniques used by the Lakota Sioux, such as burning sage because he believed...
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...Were Lewis and Clark respectful of the Native Americans they encountered on their journey? They were mostly respectful to the Native Americans but sometimes they were not respectful to them. Lewis and Clark were talking to the Native American chief like they were asking them a questions. The chief was just sitting listening to Lewis and Clark speak. Lewis and Clark were respectful because they established trade with the local Indian tribes. In Document A: “Jefferson’s Letter to Meriwether Lewis (ORIGINAL)” paragraph 1, “In all your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most friendly & conciliatory manner which their own conduct will admit.” Lewis and Clark want to be friends with the Native Americans. Lewis and Clark were the first...
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...Health Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives Shelley Thornton Grand Canyon University Family Centered Health Promotion NRS-429V Minerva Gonzales December 06, 2015 Health Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives When compared to the National average inequality and the persistent challenges that American Indians and Alaska Natives face are troubling. Demographics and economy along with poor health standards, drug and alcohol use and disproportionate disease burden exist due to inadequate education, high rates of unemployment, discrimination in the delivery of health care and cultural differences. In this paper we will explore Native Americans current health status and the barriers that influence health in their culture, socioeconomic and sociopolitical groups along with how race, ethnicity and education influence health and address current health status in addition to how they define health promotion and what health disparities exist. American Indians and Alaska Natives are people that have origins in the North, South and Central America that maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. “There are 562 federally recognized tribes in the US, including 223 village groups in Alaska; about 100 other tribes are recognized by individual states. There are also tribes that have existed since this country was formed but do not have federal or state recognition” ("American Indians," p. 2). Per records from “2012 there were estimated 5.2 million people” ("Profile...
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