The Importance Of Communication In The American Indian Culture

Humans have several ways of communicating with one another, whether that is written, spoken, facial expressions, or through body language. We use all of these forms all the time, it would be impossible to live a day without speaking, writing or reading, making facial expressions, or using any body language to communicate with others. While all these forms of communication are commonly known, another form, not as intuitively obvious, is silence. Like all forms of communication, silence will change with reference to different cultures. Just as different cultures speak differently or have different languages, and have different body languages, cultures also have different meanings behind silence. Native American cultures have been described as reluctant to speak or lacking in personal warmth simply because their culture views silence differently than most Americans. Apaches use silence for situations of uncertainty and unpredictability, Americans prefer that silence does not happen at all but will accept it for situations of comfort or in some cases when they want to avoid small talk with strangers. These difference in the use of silences are simply due to the cultural differences between Apaches and Americans. As Apaches’ use of silence reflects their cultural values of recognition and respect, Americans use, or lack of use, of silence reflects their cultural values of directness and urgency.

In America, the number of federally identified tribes is 562 with every tribe having its own culture, belief system and practices. That is why there seem diverse type of behaviors among this population related to healthcare seeking and healthcare attitudes. Amongst the most common components that lead to this diversity in healthcare seeking behaviors is the role of culture which affects healthcare intervention, prevention, and care. So, it is very important to understand the diversity of culture in particular

For the purpose of this project, our group has decided to focus on Native American culture and their non-verbal communication patterns. We chose to focus on Native American culture due to their unique methods of communication. What makes this culture so distinct is the way in which they encompass their values into their communication methods. Their communication methods are unlike most cultures and are even utilized within Western culture in modern day.

With regard to adapting care to the cultural context of a Native American patient, two theoretical nursing perspectives would be useful. The first is the meta-theory of critical theory, which is concerned with addressing and overcoming unethical power relations in the nursing situation (Oudshoorn, Ward-Griffin, & McWilliam, (2008); and under this umbrella, the second is Leininger's middle-range theory of cultural care, which is specifically concerned with surmounting cultural barriers in the nursing situation (McFarland & Eipperle, 2008). The critical theory perspective would help the nurse remain attuned to power discrepancies in her relationship with the Native American patient; this is absolutely crucial, because a Native American patient may be far more sensitive to what he perceives as acts of domination than patients from the dominant culture. Complementing this broad view, Leininger's theory provides a more specific framework which the nurse can use to assess her patient in order to make sure that she is taking a full holistic account of the patient and refraining from imputing her own cultural views onto the patient. This theory isn't predictive in nature, but it will help the nurse develop the frame of mind necessary for providing "culturally congruent care" (McFarland & Eipperle, 2008, p. 48) for the Native American patient. The middle-range theory can help the nurse bridge the simple social-cultural gap, while the meta-theory

Native American culture originated in some parts North America. These countries are known as the United States of America and some parts of Canada. In the United States, there are 6.6 million Native Americans, which form about 2.0 percent of the population (Bureau, 2016). Europe had realized there were about 50 million people already living the “new world” and these people were called Native Americans. Native Americans were originally called Indians, but later through history they formed a new name. These people were called this because of them being native to the “new world” and the American part came after the colonist named the United States. Throughout history, Native Americans believed that using raw material in nature was the best way to provide for their people. Their culture thought no part of an animal should go to waste. They would eat the meat, use the skin for clothing, and make jewelry from the bones. Over the years a lot of their culture and customs were lost due to conforming with society. Their languages were referred to as “Indigenous Languages” because of them being extremely complicated and diverse. Some important factors that help understand the foundation of Native American culture are their rituals/practices, death ceremonies, holidays, family, and stereotypes.

Atleo, M. R. & James, A. (2000). "Oral Tradition - A Literacy for Lifelong Learning: Native American Approaches to Justice and Wellness Education." Adult Education Research Conference. http://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2246&context=aerc

Leininger (1988) defined nursing as a transcultural phenomenon requiring knowledge of different cultures to provide care that is congruent with the clients’ life ways, social structure, and environmental context. This definition from the founder of transcultural care would support applying a cultural sensitive nursing care in the clinical setting, and highly linked to her definition of transcultural nursing as a legitimate and formal area of study focused on culturally based care beliefs, values, and practices to help cultures or subcultures maintain or regain their health (wellbeing) and face disabilities or death in culturally congruent and beneficial caring ways (Leininger, 1970, 1978, 1995). Moreover Leininger summarized the process of applying transcultural care as providing care that fits with cultural beliefs and life ways. From a professional perspective, it refers to the use of emic (local cultural knowledge and life ways) in meaningful and tailored ways that fit with etic (largely professional outsiders’ knowledge), in other words care should be individualized according to patient’s culture to promote holistic and effective nursing care.

After completing the “cultural competence checklist: personal reflection designed by T.D. Goode” for the first time, I was not surprised by my results. The results were a reflection of my personal understanding how culture impacts holistic care and my continuous need to improve my care. I have strived to become non-judgmental. I work to not let my personal beliefs and values influence my nursing care on decisions. When I practice this philosophy it provides better patient outcomes and promotes an improved understanding of cultural differences. This also enhances a safe and caring environment. “It is important for health care providers to recognize that care must be individualized and considerate of the cultural. Racial, and ethnic identity of the patients and their families” (Broome, 2006, p. 486) .There is much diversity in the beliefs and practices of the Indian culture and we should grant these individuals complete freedom to practice their personal cultural variations and the religion they choose.

“Health is influenced by culture and beliefs” (NRS-429V, 2011, p. 1). In order for the nurse to properly care for the patient, she must know and understand the patient’s culture. “Cultural care is a comprehensive model that includes the assessment of a client’s cultural needs, beliefs, and health care practices” (NRS-429V, 2011, p. 1). It is not enough to just know where the patient lives or where he came from. The nurse must embrace the concept of cultural competence and cultural awareness. This requires not only the awareness of the cultural beliefs and values of their patients, but also

In order to provide culturally appropriate care, an examination of one's personal views, beliefs, and prejudices must be examined. The first portion of this paper will examine my personal values, beliefs, biases, and prejudices. The remaining paper will analyze the African American culture relating to the Ginger and Davidhizar's Transcultural Assessment Model cited in Hood (2010). This model uses six key cultural elements that include communication, space, social organization, time, environment, and biological variations. This model provides a systematic approach for assessing culturally diverse clients. I will also discuss an aspect of care that I would

Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model is a valuable and functional assessment tool that evaluates the different cultural variables and how those variables effect health, illness and behaviors (Giger, 2013). This philosophy considers the uniqueness of each individual, understanding that the individual is unique, a product of their culture, religion, environment socioeconomic status and diversity. Giger and Dividhizar propose that, as health care providers, we need an acute awareness of the ethnicity and culture of each individual, having the knowledge and understanding to care for them as

Cultural Competence based on the Purnell Model can provide a comprehensive, systematic, and concise structure for learning and understanding the Palauan culture. Based on the previous paper regarding my Palauan friend, S.S., I will be discussing five areas where I can further improve my transcultural care pertaining to this specific community. These areas are in communications, high-risk health behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy and the childbearing practices, and death rituals (Purnell, 2014). Furthermore, I will present a reassessment of my culture competency to evaluate my learning that can positively affect the nursing care of individuals from diverse cultures represented by the Palauans.

In this paper, the readers will gain knowledge on different cultural beliefs and practices of a forty-eight year old female, African American colleague. During the interview, the cultural beliefs and practices were discussed by the topics relation to health care system. The interview reveals similarities and differences in the subject’s cultural beliefs and practices as well. In addition the writer will express what was learned from the interview and how it could benefit the writer with caring for culturally different patients, in the future.

It is important to respect pauses or silence in conversations with Indigenous people and to allow them time to respond.

The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model was developed to provide nursing staff a way to assess a patient’s culture and develop culturally sensitive and appropriate care. The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Model (2002) postulates “each individual is culturally unique and should be assessed according to six cultural phenomena” (p. 185). The six cultural phenomena include, communication, space, environmental control, time, social organization and