Cultural Reflection Paper

Running head: Native American: Cherokee Indians
CULTURAL REFLECTION PAPER
Native Americans:
Cherokee Indians
Sentara College of Health Sciences
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Native American: Cherokee Indians 2
Cultural Reflection Paper: Cherokee Native Americans
Introduction
As part of my Nursing 200R class assignment, I had the privilege to interview my patient,
a 84 year old woman called E.R., and his son M.Y. both Native Americans from the Cherokee
Nation or tribe. E.R. and M.Y. traces their ancestors or roots to the Qualla Boundary in western
North Carolina, just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. E.R. was born and raised in
North Carolina but moved to Virginia fifty-seven years ago. E.R. was hospitalized at Reston
Hospital six months ago with a severe cervical fractured neck when she got involved in a car
accident. Her initial treatment involved skeletal traction and close reduction but as the pain got
extremely severe, she underwent surgical treatment. She was discharged and transferred to the
Gainesville Rehab Center where I work. The son, M.Y. visits her mum every other day and I had
the opportunity to collect some family data by interviewing them with face-to-face interviewing
technique.
I chose to write on the Cherokee tribe as Native Americans because; first and foremost I
have never met one before until I came in contact with E.R. I also wanted to learn more about
their culture because; I believe they are just as important as any other cultures in the world. As
previously mentioned, I had the opportunity to interview E.R. and M.Y. on the 21st of September
2015. The goal of this interview paper is to increase awareness of a cultural group different from
mine by using Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Mode. I asked them questions in
relation to their culture based on Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model which
suggests that each individual is culturally unique and should be assessed according to six cultural
phenomena: (a) communication, (b) space, (c) social organization, (d) time, (e) environmental
control, and (f) biological variations.
Brief History of the Cherokee Tribe
Great Cherokee Nation’s population was once estimated to be around 650,000 before the
European explorers arrived, thus making them the largest within the southern tribes. When
colonizers first came to the Americas, Native Americans comprised 100 percent of the population
here. Today, they account for approximately one percent of the total population. This drop in
proportion of the population is due to territorial conflicts, disease and re-settlement, combined
with the rapid growth of other population groups (Native Youth Magazine, 2015)
Thought to be a division of the Iroquois, the Cherokee Nation comprised roughly about
155,000 square miles in North America and stretched from the Ohio River in the north to south
of Alabama. Today, about 9,000 Cherokee tribe members live in the Qualla Boundary Mountains
in North Carolina. A much larger population of Cherokee belong to the Cherokee Nation, a self-
governing tribe of over 200,000 members, which is centered on 7,000 square miles in
northeastern Oklahoma (Blue Ridge Heritage, 2015)
Communication
I asked my patient and her son how their tribe expresses themselves verbally and
non-verbally? According to them almost all Native Americans tribes including the Cherokee tribe
often use anecdotes or metaphors to talk about a situation. Verbal conversation may be wisely
constructed to provide accurate meaning through examples, metaphors, etc.; do not interrupt the
one speaking until he or she is done talking and always appropriate to get to personally know
somebody before confiding in them. The Cherokee Indians speaks the Iroquois language, which
is a well known language among American Indian languages and the one in which most writing
has been published by authors. Today, majority of them speak fluent English.
They believe it is unsuitable to demonstrate strong emotions, either verbally or non-
verbally, especially in public or much more in the presence of strangers. Communication style is
influenced by values that emphasize humility, respect for elders, learning through storytelling,
intuitiveness, and concern for group harmony. Communication established a sense of
commonality with others and permits the sharing of information, messages in the form of ideas
and feelings thus presenting the most significant problem in working with cultural groups (Giger
& Davidhizar, 2002,).
Space
Research by Dowd, Davidhizar, and Giger (2007) referred space to be the distance and
intimacy techniques utilized when relating verbally or nonverbally to others (Dowd, Davidhizar,
and Giger, 2007). With my daily interaction with my patient, I have realized that E.R., values
her personal space and feels uncomfortable most times communicating within personal space.
She dislikes the idea of clinicians (nurses or doctors) sitting on her bed, which she perceives as
invading her personal space. I have also observed E.R. complains about her roommate invading
her personal space.
She uses her lips or moves her eyebrows to point at things sometimes instead of using her
fingers. Too much eye contact is kind of a taboo in the more traditional families, but in the very
mixed ones it seems a lot more socially acceptable. Direct eye contact or staring at someone for a
long time is a sign of disrespect, which makes them uncomfortable.
American Indian cultures have a distinctive approach to personal space than the
traditional American cultures. According to M.Y. it is always important to keep a distance when
interacting or communicating with Native American. Refusing to provide personal space to a
Native American may cause them to feel insulted or disrespected. As nurses we should learn to
respect the privacy of every patient; never interrupt on a person's quiet moment or personal
space. I have learned that much with my interaction with E.R. that her personal space is a no go
zone.
Social Organization
Cherokee Indians, just as other Native American tribes believe that the clan and extended
family comes first, before self. In the Cherokee culture, men and women were considered equals
and they had an even division of power between and women. The men were responsible for
hunting, fighting during wars, building, and making political decision for the tribe. The women
on the other hand were sole accountable for farming, owns property, taking care of the family,
and making social decisions for the clans. In other words, the mother is responsible for the care
of the child whereas the father is responsible for meeting financial expenses. The Cherokee tribes
both historically and today have leisure in many forms. My patient’s son (M.Y.) said, leisure
comprises of so many activities such as storytelling, dance, sport games, festive events, and art.
It is interesting to know that my patient and her family hold on to a mix of both modern
and traditional religious beliefs. They are Christians with the Baptist denomination but still
believe in traditional ideas in the use of traditional plants for healing, dances that reinforces the
Cherokee identity. In addition to that, they believe that strength and support can be found in
families and friends. They are friendly to each tribe member and they believe that a friend’s or
community problem is everyone’s problem.
Time
Giger and Davidhizar’s (1988) study stated the following: Time is an important aspect of
interpersonal communication. Cultural groups can be past, present, or future oriented. Preventive
health care requires some future time orientation because preventive actions are motivated by a
future (p. 188). According to E.R. and M.Y., most Native American tribe just like the Cherokee
Indians are very present-time oriented. The notion of time is unplanned, and tasks or
responsibilities are completed there and there without the thought of completing the task at a
particular day or time. They assign little value to future planning and observe time as non-
important entity, thus less punctual to events or meetings.
Environmental Control
The people from Cherokee tribe believe that religion and health practice is linked someway in
the Native American culture. The Shaman, who is the medicine man uses herbs, or other plants
or roots to create remedies in healing people who are suffering from illnesses like tuberculosis,
diabetes, etc. “A religious belief may lead to the assumption that the disease is a result of
supernatural forces and that a cure can be achieved by appealing to supernatural forces
(Henderson & Primeaux, 1981). Hanley (2013) reports that the risk of illness and premature
death from alcoholism, tuberculosis, diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia, and influenza are
dramatically higher for Native Americans than the U.S. population as a whole (pp.240-259).
Both E.R. and M.Y. said upholding a balance in the parts of the human body, soul (or spirit),
mind, and environment is viewed as having a good or great health. Sickness on the other hand,
may be observed as a consequence of disagreement between the sources of life. The tribe
member may pursue modern medicine for cure of symptoms of illness. Conversely, members
may also pursue a customary healer to tackle the disharmony that causes the illness. Today,
Cherokee Nation’s health care system is the largest among all the tribally operated heath care
system in the United States. Like other Native American tribes members, Cherokees have access
to free health care at tribally run clinics and hospitals.
Biological Variations
While Native’s of Americans show many minor and even some important physical
variations, and can be separated into several physical types, they present throughout the
continent so many features in common that they may properly be regarded as one great race,
admitting of a general anatomical description (Fletcher, 2010). The Cherokee men are uprightly
tall and relatively strong with their limbs well shaped thus forming a perfect human figure. M.Y.
is 6.3 feet tall and very muscular whiles E.R. is 5.8 feet tall. They are mostly reddish brown in
complexion, with hair long and black as a raven. The women on the other hand are also tall, slim
formed with perfect evenness. They are always cheerful and have a friendly countenance. As
previously stated, research reports of high risk of illness and diseases among Native Americans
including those from the Cherokee Nation with heart disease as the number one and stroke the
sixth leading cause of death among their tribe.
E.R. was sad to say that the high rate of depression, suicide and other mental illness
among Native American tribal youth is on the increase and need to be addressed. She contributed
some of these deaths to past oppression of their ancestors, historical trauma and hostile infant
experience
Conclusion
There were some few variations between some of the information I researched on the
Internet or books and the information gathered from the actual interview. These variations may
be due to the fact that I specifically narrowed my research to the Cherokee Indian tribe instead of
the Native American culture as a whole. As Giger (2013) reported, variations in cultural beliefs
and practices are found within different ethnic groups, social classes, and even families (pp. 18).
I handled the interview with an empowering attitude, which really helped me stay calm,
and relaxed, even with some form of tension in the room. Before the interview, I focused my
time on researching about the Native American culture at the library and also reading about their
origins and way of life on the Internet. It was easier for me this way to ask questions during the
interview. I also told E.R. and M.Y. about some of my Ghanaian culture that had some
similarities to their culture, thus making them feel comfortable and willing to share their culture
with me. I ensured a comfortable atmosphere during the interview by smiling more often and
cracking some old jokes in a good taste, that made my interviewers happy and responding to my
questions honestly and showing their best side. I gained a great deal of knowledge by doing this
exercise which I believe will help me assess individuals who are ethnically different in order to
provide a culturally competent nursing care.
References
Blue Ridge National Heritage. (2015). Cherokee History in the North Carolina
Mountains and Beyond. Retrieved from
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/heritage/cherokee/cherokee-history.
Davidhizar, R., Giger, J.N. (1988). Recognizing abuse in culturally diverse clients. The
Health Care Supervisor 1998; 17(2): Pg.188.
Dowd, S., Davidhizar, R., & Giger, J.N. (2007). The mystery of altruism and
transcultural nursing. The Health Care Manager; 26(1): 64-67.
Fletcher, A.C. (2010). Native American Anatomy: Handbook of American Indians of
North of Mexico. Retrieved from http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/native-american-
anatomy.htm.
Giger, J.N. (2013). Transcultural nursing: Assessment and intervention (6th ed.). St.
Louis. MO: Mosby.
Giger, J.N., & Davidhizar, R. (2002). Culturally competent care: emphasis on
understanding the people of Afghanistan, Afghanistan Americans, and Islamic culture and
religion. International Council of Nurses. International Nursing Review.
Hanley, C.E. (2013). Navajos. In J.N. Giger (ed.). Transcultural nursing assessment and
intervention (6th ed., 240-259). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Henderson, G., & Primeaux, M. (1981). Transcultural healthcare. Reading, mass:
Addison-Wesley.
Native Youth Magazine. (2015). Native Americans-Past, Present, and Future. Retrieved
from http://nativeyouthmagazine.com/pastpresentfuture.htm.
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Running head: Native American: Cherokee Indians

CULTURAL REFLECTION PAPER

Sentara College of Health Sciences

Cultural Reflection Paper: Cherokee Native Americans

control, and (f) biological variations.

Brief History of the Cherokee Tribe

northeastern Oklahoma (Blue Ridge Heritage, 2015)

They believe it is unsuitable to demonstrate strong emotions, either verbally or non-

intuitiveness, and concern for group harmony. Communication established a sense of

& Davidhizar, 2002,).

her personal space.

long time is a sign of disrespect, which makes them uncomfortable.

interacting or communicating with Native American. Refusing to provide personal space to a

community problem is everyone’s problem.

important entity, thus less punctual to events or meetings.

to free health care at tribally run clinics and hospitals.

sixth leading cause of death among their tribe.

provide a culturally competent nursing care.

Mountains and Beyond. Retrieved from

Health Care Supervisor 1998; 17(2): Pg.188.

transcultural nursing. The Health Care Manager; 26(1): 64-67.

Fletcher, A.C. (2010). Native American Anatomy: Handbook of American Indians of

North of Mexico. Retrieved from http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/native-american-

Louis. MO: Mosby.

Giger, J.N., & Davidhizar, R. (2002). Culturally competent care: emphasis on

religion. International Council of Nurses. International Nursing Review.

intervention (6th ed., 240-259). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Henderson, G., & Primeaux, M. (1981). Transcultural healthcare. Reading, mass:

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