An Overview of American Indian Nations

1
Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native
Issues and Communities
2
Native Communities

• RESPECT!
• Respect for Culture
• Respect for Family
• Respect for Community Values
• Respect for the Land
• Demonstrate that you want to learn!

3
Tribal Sovereignty

• Tribes/Villages have a Nation to Nation
• relationship with the US. Government
• Tribes/Villages are Sovereign
• Movement towards Tribal Self-Governance
• Tribes can make and enforce your their Laws

4
Demographics, 1990 Census

• U.S.
• Natives All Races
• 24 yrs. 33 yrs.
• 19,900 30,000
• 32 13
• 66 75

Median Age Median Income Below Poverty High
School
5
Common Values Among Natives

• Sharing and generosity
• Allegiance to family, community and tribe
• Respect for elders
• Non-Interference
• Orientation to present time
• Harmony with Nature
• Respect for status of the Woman and the Child

6
Common beliefs related to Spirituality

• A belief in an unseen power, Great Mystery or
  Creator
• All things in the universe are related
• Worship reinforces bonds between the
• individual, family and community (our
  relatedness)
• Spirituality is intimately connected to our
• health

7
Respective Core Values
Traditional Native Main Stream Society,
U.S. Cooperative Competitive Group/Tribal
Emphasis Freedom, Progress, Efficiency Extended
Family Important Individualism Modesty Sexy Pa
tience/Passive (SW) Getting Ahead in
Life Generous/Non-Materialistic Material
Comfort Respect for Age Youth Spirituality Ex
ternal Conformity Indirect Criticism Direct
Criticism Harmony with Nature Conquest of Nature
8
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

9
Environmental Health Issues

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

10
Tribal Communication Outreach Strategy

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

11
Tribal Communication Outreach Participants

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

12
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/village

13
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!

14
Tribal Communications Strategies

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