American Indians

Johannah Hollobaugh, Morgan Cole, Madeline Barbaro, Sophia Delatore,

Madison Kimes, Whiley Drymon
 Purpose

The purpose of this project is to increase our awareness of

different cultural groups. We will assess the American Indian
culture and their health practices to better evaluate the
responses of different cultural groups to the health assessment
process and make it more efficient.
Percentage of Native Americans in U.S.
(2000)
 Overview of the Culture
● Although there are many different tribes that occupy various
lands, many Native American cultures are centered around
the belief to live in harmony with nature.

● Each tribe had to adapt to a specific land which altered what

they ate and how they lived. Many tribes were hunter and
gatherers. This made their diet consist of whatever was
available on the land both plants and animals.

● Native Americans believed that it was disrespectful to waste

any part of an animal that they hunt. Typically, they would
make shoes, tunics and leggings out of the skins of their
game to make sure there was no waste.
 Overview of the culture
● A major part of their self-expression was their hair.
Hairstyles were guided by the values of their family and
tribe.

● They were matrilineal which meant that women played a

significant role in decision making in the community

● Native Americans have a firm root in traditions and oral

history. They share a holistic view of health and often
connect health with the aspects of their religion

● The charismatic culture of the American Indians was

evident in their spiritual dances and celebrations. The
traditions are continued through the Native American
reserves and through individuals that honor their
heritage.
Nutrition: Nutrition
● Traditionally they lived off the land and consumed mostly whole fruits,
vegetables, and grains from their crops.

● They would also raise their own animals for consumption.

● Common foods: Venison, salmon, shellfish, beans, squash, and corn.

● Now, due to isolation and not being able to access many of their healthier foods
they are more non-traditional in rural areas. This means they are consuming
items that have a longer shelf life (canned meat, vegetables, salty foods, and
sugary foods as well).

● Due to this change the rate of diseases such as heart attacks has nearly doubled.
 Succotash
Corn and bean mixture served as a side dish along
buffalo stew or other protein.
 Tanka-me-a-lo (Buffalo beef stew)
Fresh veggies, barley, potatoes and buffalo are usual
ingredients
High Risk Health Behaviors
American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a disproportionately
high rate of disease, depression, obesity, cancer, diabetes,
hypertension, and injury when compared with other ethic groups.
The common behaviors shared include:
● Heavy tobacco and drug abuse
● Less likely to have a health plan or PCP
● Lower rates of seatbelt use
● Binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drunk driving
● Lack of physical activity
● Lower rates of general health and cancer screenings
 Health Care Practices
● While there are individual tribal differences, there are also shared health beliefs and
interventional strategies, including a health promotion foundation that embraces
bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approaches and traditions.

● Stories and legends are used to teach positive behaviors as well as the consequences of
failing to observe the laws of nature. Herbs, manipulative therapies, ceremonies, and prayer
are used in various combinations to prevent and treat illness.

● In recent studies, younger generations are starting to abandon their traditions with a
resultant increase in disease and impaired health states. Less than 100 years ago, diabetes
was almost unheard of among American Indians. Today diabetes runs rampant through
many tribes as they integrate into the mainstream culture and adopt the typical American
lifestyle. The consequences of abandonment of traditional practices can be readily seen
when comparing the health of younger generations to their living elders who are engaged in
traditional health practices.
 Health care practices today
● Today, American Indians frequently combine traditional healing
practices with allopathic medicine to promote health and
wellbeing. Ceremony, native herbal remedies, and allopathic
medications are used side by side. Spiritual treatments are also an
integral part of health promotion and healing in American Indian
culture.

● However, the role of spirituality in health promotion and wellness

is uncomfortable for many allopathic providers. Advanced practice
nurses that embrace the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual nature of health
have an opportunity to suggest new ways to care modeled on
traditional practices. The inclusion of family and community in
treatment plans decreases the isolation often found in allopathic
care. Therefore, the lack of personal environment harmony and
balance may be important clues for the diagnostic process.
 Death Rituals
● Native Americans are deeply rooted in their culture and spirituality and do not believe
in the concept of heaven and hell. Most tribes have specific death rituals that pertain
to their tribe, all tribes share a common theme of nature and the cycle of life within
the rituals.

● In past, many Native Americans would leave the deceased in hollow tree trunks or an
outdoor funeral platform.

● Native Americans would never try to preserve or embalm the deceased. They believed
that natural decomposition gave them a closer spiritual connection.
 Death rituals
● Native Americans would always leave an opening in
the burial chamber so the spirit of their loved one
could cross into the afterlife. Tribes of the past
would also leave offerings of food, jewelry, or tools
for the deceased to take with them into the afterlife.
Some tribes even performed sacrificial rituals in
which they would kill the dead tribal member’s
horse.

● Though most of these tribal rituals are no longer

performed today, many tribes still practice sacred
traditions which include painting the dead tribal
member’s face red, performing a sage ritual, or
partaking in prayer chants.
Top 10
1. Not all Native American tribes are the same so familiarize yourself with local tribes in the area. (Weiner, 2017).
2. There tends to be mistrust of healthcare providers from Native American tribes. Familiarizing yourself with their
culture can make them feel safer (Weiner, 2017).
3. Native Americans tend to believe in the importance of living with nature. Treatments that involve herbs may be a
part of the patient’s treatment.
4. Some patients may choose to have a native practitioner there with them in the hospital. We can provide the space
and privacy for the patient to have the ritual that they choose. (Rhoades, 2009).
5. Many native Americans face racial disparity in chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes (Weiner, 2017).
6. Many Native American have lack of health care because of living in isolated rural areas. They have less access to
consistent care for management of chronic conditions.
7. The five largest American Indian tribes today are the Navajo, Cherokee, Sioux, Chippewa, and Choctaw (Working
with Indigenous/Native American Patients [APA], n.d.).
8. Native American have twice the rate of infant mortality than Caucasian Americans. This is largely due to late or
lack of prenatal care (Office of Minority Health [APA], n.d.).
9. Known for higher rates of suicide due to lack of mental health treatment (Office of Minority Health [APA], n.d.).
10. As a nurse the best way to provide culturally competent care is to listen to your patient fully without bias or
prejudice, understand their beliefs and practices.
References
Cobb, N., Espey, D., & King, J. (2014). Health behaviors and risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2000-2010. American
journal of public health, 104 Suppl 3(Suppl 3), S481–S489. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.301879.

Koithan, Mary, and Cynthia Farrell. “Indigenous Native American Healing Traditions.” The Journal for Nurse Practitioners : JNP, U.S.
National Library of Medicine, 1 June 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913884/.

Native American foods, dietary habits take center stage. (2016, November 21). Retrieved November 13, 2020, from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2016/native-american-foods-dietary-habits-take-center-stage.

Office of Minority Health. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4
Rhoades, E. (2009, October 01). The Indian Health Service and Traditional Indian Medicine. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/indian-health-service-and-traditional-indian-medicine/2009-10.

Understanding Cultural Issues in Death. (2003, March). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from
https://www.naspcenter.org/principals/culture_death.html.

Weiner, S. (2017, September 05). Culture and Cures: Healing Native American Health. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from
https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/culture-and-cures-healing-native-american-health.

Working With Indigenous/Native American Patients. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/best-practice-highlights/working-with-native-american-patients.
Thank You!