3a Understand AIAN communities

Slide1: 

'Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native Issues and Communities'

Native Communities: 

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

Slide3: 

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

Slide4: 

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 Demographics, 1990 Census

Slide5: 

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 Common Values Among Natives

Slide6: 

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 Common beliefs related to Spirituality

Slide7: 

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

Slide8: 

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

Slide9: 

Environmental Health Issues Emotional Trauma Physiological Trauma Physical Trauma Spiritual Trauma

Slide10: 

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

Slide11: 

Tribal Communication Outreach Participants Elected Tribal Officials Traditionalist, Business Community Elders Youth Women Trusted Source Community Activist

Slide12: 

Tribal Communications Strategies Tribes have a severe distrust of federal government and government employees Don’t 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

Slide13: 

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!

Slide14: 

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