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"Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native
Issues and Communities"
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Native Communities 
- RESPECT!
- Respect for Culture
- Respect for Family
- Respect for Community Values
- Respect for the Land
- Demonstrate that you want to learn!
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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
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Demographics, 1990 Census
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Natives |
U.S. All Races |
| Median Age |
24 yrs. |
33 yrs. |
| Median Income |
$19,900 |
$30,000 |
| Below Poverty |
32% |
13% |
| High School |
66% |
75% |
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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
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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
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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 |
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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
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Environmental Health Issues
- Emotional Trauma
- Physiological Trauma
- Physical Trauma
- Spiritual Trauma
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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
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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
- 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
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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 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
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