Culture Presentation - Team 5
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Dec 6, 2023
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Exploring Cultures and Ethnic Groups in America
Team Members:
Aayusha Gautam, Lauren Toratti, Allison Kline, Audrey Remy, Ren
Castle, Kenzie Russell
Ethnic group:
American Indians (Native Americans)
Section 1:
Basic culture information:
Describe your assigned ethnic group and their culture.
(
minimum 100 words
) -
make sure you address AT minimum each of the following:
definition of your population,
country(s) of origin for your ethnic group, major religion(s) of your ethnic group.
The definition of Native American is a member of any of the indigenous peoples of the
western hemisphere (especially a Native American of North American and more
specifically the U.S). Native Americans' country of origin is America. As for religion, it is
hard to pinpoint one or two major religions among all the Native American tribes. This is
because every Native American tribe has different traditions, values, and religious
beliefs. That being said, most Native American tribes have a tendency to have animism
and polytheistic views (a lot of early settlers saw this to be paganistic and looked down
on it). Animism means they believe that a living spirit resides in all things, whether alive
or not alive, such as materials, animals, the sun, etc. Polytheistic meaning that they
believe, or worship multiple gods opposed to one single god. (Word count: 139)
Sources:
https://dialogueinstitute.org/native-american-religions
https://www.oah.org/tah/extras/teaching-native-american-history-in-a-polarized-age/?
gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-eKpBhAbEiwAqFL0mhmj0E5E6agKu-osDMfd-
5HOi_Dz93P6Fzpy-RfrKF1tQBrToOOKuxoCKXsQAvD_BwE
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Native%20American
Ren Castle
Discuss the family structure and gender roles of your ethnic group.
(
minimum
100 words
) - make sure you address AT minimum each of the following:
the roles of
males and females in your group, is your ethnic group patriarchal or matriarchal,
discuss the role of the elderly AND children.
Native Americans have a higher risk of some diseases than other races. It is proven
they have a higher chance of unintentional injuries, obesity, substance use, SIDS,
diabetes, liver disease, and hepatitis. They also have a high probability of chronic liver
disease. The death rate due to chronic liver disease is four times higher compared to
the white population. Chronic liver disease has no apparent causes but may be traced
back to obesity and if they have or are around someone with Hepatitis B or C. The
death rates for this disease are very high in Native American history. In addition, the
chances of Native Americans becoming overweight are 50% more likely than in other
races. (Word count: 116)
Sources:
-
https://digestivehealth.ws/native-american-health-concerns/#:~:text=Among
%20American%20Indians%20and%20Alaska,the%20non%2DHispanic%20white
%20population
.
-
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/american-indianalaska-native-health#:~:text=American
%20Indians%2FAlaska%20Natives%20also,%2C%20liver%20disease%2C%20and
%20hepatitis
.
Allison Kline
Describe the role of animals/pets in your ethnic group.
(
minimum 80 words
) –
In Native American Traditions, animals are used to communicate different values and
beliefs. Animal imagery was used to tell stories about families and clans. Native
Americans believed that animals have spirits and that animals should provide humans
with food, fur, and other materials. Taking an animal's life was seen as sacred by Native
Americans. Since crops were hard to harvest, they primarily relied on animals for food.
Native Americans had totem poles, each animal on the totem pole had a different
significance. For example, bears stand for power, strength, and leadership. Butterflies
represent grace and transformation. Dogs were the only animal Native Americans had
as pets. Dogs were used as hunting partners and sometimes food. (Word Count 115)
Sources:
https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/native-american-spirit-
animal#:~:text=In%20Native%20American%20traditions%2C%20animals,%2C%20clan
%2C%20and%20personal%20stories.
https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjaue3Cz5GCAxUam4kEHSB
SDO0QFnoECA8QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foodsystemsjournal.org
%2Findex.php%2Ffsj%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F761%2F748%2F1549%23%3A~
%3Atext%3DIndigenous%2520peoples%2520of%2520the%2520western%2Cdifficult
%2520or%2520impossible%2520to
%2520grow.&usg=AOvVaw1vBeKiJwXVvB2oxdtJjoSb&opi=89978449
https://www.faustgallery.com/what-is-a-native-american-totem-animal/
Audrey Remy
What are their traditions and holidays?
(
minimum 100 words
) -
Many Native American holidays tend to honor natural elements such as nature, the sun,
rain, and crops. They also celebrate their ancestors and the spiritual world as a whole.
Their holidays are different from some cultures found in the United States because their
celebrations can last up to a week. Native Americans celebrate the start of the new
year, as a lot of us do, but they oftentimes focus on the 22nd of December for their new
year, where they hold a ceremony for Soyal, and this ceremony represents renewal and
purification. Another main celebration for the Natives is held in Hawaii and is called
Makahiki, which focuses on new beginnings and the honoring of the Hawaiian God,
Lono. Another group of Native Americans called the Tewa honor animals such as turtles,
deer, and buffalo with several dances. Lastly, the Inca group chooses to celebrate the
sun god named Inti during the Inti Raymi festival, which involves dancing and animal
sacrifice. In conclusion, the Natives are very focused on celebrating the world of nature,
the sun, and animals, and their celebrations include a lot of dancing.
(Word count: 186).
Source:
https://nativeamericanc.weebly.com/holidays--traditions.html#:~:text=Native
%20American%20holidays%20often%20celebrate,rather%20than%20just%20one
%20day.
Lauren Toratti
What are the main social issues that impact your ethnic group?
(
minimum 100
words
) -
Due to Native American culture being very scattered and diverse in the United States,
they constantly face problems that arise due to their inability to carry their tribes,
cultures, and customs into the world today. From an early age, they have faced
challenges such as genocide, dislocation, and various forms of violence. In order to fully
heal from these nightmares they have faced in the past, schools need to properly
educate and recognize these groups of people, but they unfortunately do not. Native
Americans' ways of life and traditions like language, song, and dance have been
pushed to the side and gotten rid of in today’s time, and many people do not understand
that culture or even try to understand them. Another issue is that in history books and
lessons on Natives, the information is miswritten and not 100% correct. Being able to
correct that information today and get rid of false accusations would be huge for their
culture. Their identity and ancestry mean a lot to them, but they have been pushed
aside and not appreciated like many other cultures in the United States.
(Word count: 185)
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Source:
https://pages.nativehope.com/native-americans-today
Lauren Toratti
Section 2:
Perspectives of healthcare within your group:
What are their traditional definitions of health and illness and the health and
illness beliefs of their culture?
(
minimum 100 words
)
You are looking for how they
define each and the beliefs they hold in regard to health and illness.
This can,
depending on your assigned culture can include physical and spiritual approaches
Many Native Americans believe in a more holistic approach. This being to connect and
align the mind, body, and spirit. In tradition, illness implies an imbalance between a
person and their own universe. It is a sign that they have fallen out of step spiritually
and therefore causing disharmony between all three. They combat this using a
combination of natural herbal medicines and ceremonies. These ceremonies typically
involve the patient, the family, and the tribe itself. This is because a tribe is connected
and has more of a “tribe” mentality instead of a solitary one that we experience typically
in the United States. However, we do see the younger generations of Native Americans
seek traditional healthcare in the United States.
(Word Count: 120)
Sources:
https://www.centene.com/news/culture-and-heritage-key-to-tribal-community-
health.html#:~:text=Many%20Native%20Americans%20believe%20in,the%20person
%20and%20their%20universe
.
https://www.advocatehealth.com/assets/documents/faith/cg-native_american.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913884/
Ren Castle
What are some of the traditional methods of healing practiced in their culture?
(
minimum 100 words
)
Native Americans had many rituals and ceremonies that they used to help promote the
healing of the sick. These often included; chants, prayer, songs, stories, drumming,
painting bodies, exorcisms, limited use of mind-altering substances, and the use of
sacred objects. Although these ceremonies were most often held in sacred places,
healers were able to hold ceremonies anywhere healing was needed. Native Americans
had Medicine Lodges, this is the name of special healing structures. Healing rituals and
ceremonies varied in time, lasting hours, days, or even weeks. Since these rituals were
considered sacred, they could only be conducted by Native Healers and Native spiritual
facilitators.
(Word Count 104)
Source:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-
ways/key-role-of-ceremony.html#:~:text=They%20can%20include%20prayer%2C
%20chants,referred%20to%20as%20Medicine%20Lodges.
Audrey Remy
What are current healthcare problems experienced by people in this culture
?
(
minimum 100 words
)
Different ethnic groups can experience a higher incidence of
certain illnesses.
What is seen within your group.
Native Americans have unique family structures. They view family as blood and non-
blood related. Their tribe is seen as a part of their family. Depending on the tribe, Native
Americans could be patriarchal or matriarchal. However, most were patriarchal.
Women’s roles consisted of watching over the family. They were known as mothers,
wives, and caregivers. Men’s role was leadership and managing the tribe. Elderly
members of the culture are seen as wise. They are highly respected in tribes for their
history and faith. Young boys and girls would mentor older people in the community.
Children were taught by the elderly. This teaching was to pass the wisdom of the elders
down to future generations.
Sources
-
https://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-
maps/american-indian-families#:~:text=American%20Indians%20would%20define
%20family,without%20family%2C%20a%20kinship%20network
.
-
https://www.ducksters.com/history/native_americans/life_as_a_native_american_child.p
hp#:~:text=The%20boys%20followed%20the%20men,stories%20told%20by%20the
%20elders
.
Allison Kline
What are the traditional birthing rituals of their culture?
(
minimum 100 words
)
-
make sure you address AT minimum each of the following:
describe what you have
learned about birthing and birth, how the pregnant women are treated, are their specific
things done during pregnancy, during birth, after birth.
Some of the earliest and more traditional ideas around birth was with a midwife or close
family member with the pregnant woman. Men were never allowed to see this birth or
be there. The woman would give birth standing, sitting, or kneeling, but never laying
down. In the seventeenth century, observations of this were with Mohawk and Machican
Native Americans. They would go down to a secluded place, not far from a river or
stream. They would make a shelter and were expected to make the delivery without
company or assistance. During pregnancy, women were known to restrict their diet and
activities so that the baby would not be harmed. Examples of this include not eating
racoon or pheasants because the baby could die. To make sure the delivery was safe,
mothers and fathers also took part in special rituals every day. After delivery, they also
have rituals that are performed daily until the first two years are over. They take the
infant/child into a river and plunge them, believing it would make the child strong and
healthy. This is still seen today in a different way, such as a bucket of water.
(Word Count: 194)
Sources:
http://www.shermanindianmuseum.org/how-native-american-women-gave-
birth.html#:~:text=Even%20though%20some%20observers%20describe,kneeling%2C
%20but%20never%20lying%20down
.
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/indigenous-
rebirth-return-traditional-birthing-practices
Ren Castle
What culture phenomena (biological variations, environmental control, social
organization, communication, space, and time orientation) can impact the care
provided in this culture?
(
minimum 100 words
) –
you must address AT LEAST
TWO of these areas
– definitions are found in your chapter for this lesson.
●
Communication : Native Americans often talk about their health through stories
and metaphors. Not understanding different cultures will make it harder for
patients and doctors to communicate clearly, which could lead to wrong
diagnoses and a loss of public trust. Language and speech problems can make it
harder to get and give good health care. For instance, Navajo-speaking Native
Americans are less likely than White Americans to see a doctor or mental health
professional or get prevention care like a flu shot or mammogram.
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Communication and language issues can also make patients unhappy, make it
hard for them to understand and follow instructions, and lower the level of care.
●
Time Orientation: People often focus on the present moment. People often pay
more attention to their tasks than to the time. It's possible that "Indian time" will
end late. (Word Count: 137)
Sources:
https://hpi.georgetown.edu/cultural/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570619/
https://ggalanti.org/native-american/
Aayusha Gautam
Section 3:
Each team member is required to do the following:
Identify at least one thing learned from your research above that you believe will
impact giving care
AND what you as a healthcare professional will need to do to work
effectively with this patient.
EACH item must focus on a DIFFERENT concept.
●
One thing I learned from my research that I believe will impact giving care and
what I will need to do in order to work with these patients is to be more
understanding of their past trauma and the things they have gone through. Their
culture has been threatened in many ways, such as through genocide,
dislocation, and violence, and some Natives may still feel the pain of those
events today. As a healthcare professional, being gentle, patient, and soft-spoken
with these individuals, I feel, will help a lot and give them the care and comfort
they truly need. (Word count: 99) -
Lauren Toratti
●
One thing I learned from doing my research is the importance of understanding
different cultures. Many people have different beliefs. Some people might not
understand or agree with modern day medicine. As a healthcare professional I
think with good communication and knowledge I can work effectively with the
patient. By educating myself on past rituals and different forms of healing I am
able to be more understanding and knowledgeable of what the patient might be
feeling and what the best way of treating them may be. (Word Count 86)
-
Audrey Remy
●
Something I took away from this is that Native Americans have such a connected
spirit to healthcare. Spirit is an extremely vital part of their body, illness, and
really everything. This will help me work in healthcare in the future because there
might need to be rituals that need to be done or a different reason causing an
illness than what modern medicine in the United States tends to push. It is
important that I do not try to overstep or “correct” this and hear the patient. If it is
believed they have an illness from something spiritually wrong, it is not my place
to draw conclusions or put any different input for that. It would be important to
focus on helping them in the way they are asking for help as well as that is
focused on getting them treatment to make it better. (Word Count: 145) -
Ren
Castle
●
From my research, I have learned the high-risk illnesses of Native Americans.
This information impacts professionals giving care by helping them make a
faster, more accurate diagnosis. It is a list of illnesses to suspect because they
are common in Native Americans. I also learned about the importance of family
to their culture. Therefore, when working with Native American patients, I should
be prepared for close family connections. I should also be aware of the afflictions
common in Native Americans to give them the best care. (Word count 86) -
Allison Kline
●
I learned how important it is for Native Americans to be able to communicate.
Native Americans communicate in different ways such as they use metaphors to
describe their own health status, and it's important to learn how to do that so you
can better care for them. Aside from that, I learned that native Americans are
hostile toward healthcare workers because of how whites have treated them in
the past. Another really important thing I learned is that Native Americans believe
in oriented to activities rather than
time, which is why they are often late. They
are more likely to be late for things like appointments. (Word Count 106) -
Aayusha Gautam
●
I have learned from the research that I believe will impact how native americans
have unique family structures. Their family is blood and non-blood because of
people in their tribes. I believe this impacts healthcare because it shows how
close they are with their families. Native Americans have very close family bonds
and connections. I have learned that when I will be working with native
americans they will be very close and connected with their families at that time.
(word count- 79)
Kenzie Russell
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