An Overview of American Indian Nations

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Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native
Communication Styles Dean S. Seneca, MPH,
MCURP Director, Office of Tribal Affairs Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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Thought Provoking
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Environmental Issues Land is life

• Threat to Subsistence Lifestyles fish
  consumption, plants (medical purposes) and
  animals
• Threat to Cultural Practices sweat lodges,
  basket weaving, pottery making
• Polluted Land and Waterways environmental
  compensation

4
Environmental Health Issues

• Emotional Trauma
• Physiological Trauma
• Physical Trauma
• Spiritual Trauma

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Typical Exposure Assessment Model -
Suburban lifestyle
Air release
Source
Groundwater release
Little environmental contact. Few exposure
pathways.

• Harris and Harper, 1997

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Clothing, Shelter
Sleeping mats, Basket
Food
Traditional Practices
People are inextricably intertwined with the
environment through unique and multiple uses of
resources for food, cultural, ceremonial and
religious practices.

• Harris and Harper, 1997

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Tribal Communication Outreach Strategy

• Meet Tribal Groups on their own Turf,
• (go to the reservation)
• Have Food Available
• Have Door prizes and Raffles
• Contact the Community Health Aids, Public
  Health Nurses, not the Physicians
• Time is not a critical Element

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Tribal Communication Outreach Participants

• Elected Tribal Officials
• Traditionalist,
• Business Community
• Elders
• Youth
• Women
• Trusted Source
• Community Activist

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Tribal Communications Strategies

• Tribes have a severe distrust of federal
  government and government employees
• Dont make promises you cannot keep
• Always ask what is the respectful approach to
  implementing the sharing of critical or
  important information
• Listen for Direction from interpreters and
  community members
• Develop Health Education Message with the Tribe

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Tribal Communications Strategies

• Watch for body style and facial expressions of
  your audience
• Remember you are working with the tribes and not
  for the tribes
• Be honest in building relationships
• (federal Shuffle)
• Find an interpreter who is respected and
  recognized member of the community, not a
  stranger!

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Tribal Communications Strategies

• Very circular thinking patterns
• Tribal symbols, be Tribal Specific, Caution
• Build you message with the tribal community
• Be as graphic, picturesque and as visual as
  possible
• Talking Circles, beware!
• Utilize the gossip community
• Most of all Commitment Earns Respect

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