American Indian and Alaska Native
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CultureCard A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness American Indian and Alaska Native About Tribal Regional and Cultural Communication this Guide Myths and Facts Sovereignty Cultural Differences Customs Spirituality Styles The purpose of this guide is to provide Myth: AI/AN people are spiritual and live Presently, there are more than 560 Prior to European contact, AI/AN Cultural customs can be viewed as a A strong respect for spirituality, whether Nonverbal Messages basic information for Federal disaster in harmony with nature. Federally recognized AI/AN tribes in communities existed throughout various particular group or individual’s preferred traditional (prior to European contact), • AI/AN people communicate a great responders and other service providers Fact: The idea of all AI/ANs having the United States. Over half of these are areas of North America. Federal policies way of meeting their basic human needs Christian (resulting from European deal through non-verbal who may be deployed or otherwise a mystical spirituality is a broad Alaska Native villages. Additionally, there led to voluntary and forced relocation and conducting daily activities as passed contact), or a combination of both, gestures. Careful assigned to provide or coordinate services generalization. This romantic stereotype are almost 245 non-Federally recognized from familiar territory to the current day on through generations. is common among all AI/AN observation is in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) can be just as damaging as other more tribes. Many of those are recognized by reservation system. communities and necessary to avoid communities. negative stereotypes and impairs one’s their States and are seeking Federal Specifi c cultural customs among AI/ often forms a sense misinterpretation ability to provide services to AI/ANs as recognition. When the reservation system was formed AN groups may vary signifi cantly, even of group unity. of non-verbal This guide is intended to serve as a real people. in the late 1800s, some bands and tribes within a single community. behavior. general briefi ng to enhance cultural There is a unique legal were forced by the U.S. government to live Many AI/AN competence while providing services to Myth: AI/AN people have and political relationship together. In some instances, these groups Customs are influenced by: ethnicity, communities • AI/AN AI/AN communities. (Cultural competence distinguishing physical between the Federal were related linguistically and culturally; in origin, language, religious/spiritual beliefs, have a strong people may is defined as the ability to function characteristics, and you government and Indian others, they were not closely related and socioeconomic status, gender, sexual church community and look down to effectively in the context of cultural can identify them by how tribes and a special legal may even have been historic enemies. orientation, age, marital status, ancestry, organized religion that show respect differences.) A more specifi c orientation or they look. relationship with Alaska Native history, gender identity, geography, and is integrated within or deference to training should be provided by a member Fact: Due to Tribal diversity, Corporations. On reservations where different AI/ so on. their culture. elders, or ignoring of the particular AI/AN community. as well as hundreds of years AN groups were forced to co-exist, an individual to show of inter-Tribal and inter- The U.S. Constitution (Article repercussions occurred that still can be Cultural customs are often seen explicitly Traditional spirituality and practices disagreement or displeasure. Service providers should use this guide racial marriages, there is no 1 Section 8, and Article 6), experienced today in those communities. through material culture such as food, are integrated into AI/AN cultures and to ensure the following Five Elements single distinguishing “look” treaties, Supreme Court Historic rivalries, family or clan dress, dance, ceremony, drumming, day-to-day living. • A gentle handshake is often seen as of Cultural Competence* are being for AI/ANs. decisions, Federal laws, and conflicts, and “Tribal politics” may song, stories, symbols, and other visible a sign of respect, not weakness. addressed: Executive Orders provide present challenges for an outsider manifestations. Traditional spirituality and/or organized 1. Awareness, acceptance and Myth: Casinos have made authority to the Federal unaware of local dynamics who is religions are usually community-oriented, Humor valuing of cultural differences AI/ANs rich. government for Indian affairs trying to interact with different groups Such outward cultural customs are a rather than individual-oriented. • AI/AN people may convey truths 2. Awareness of one’s own culture Fact: Out of more than 560 with Federally recognized in the community. refl ection of a much more ingrained and or diffi cult messages through humor, and values Federally recognized tribes, tribes. implicit culture that is not easily seen or Spirituality, world view, and the meaning and might cover great pain with smiles 3. Understanding the range of dynamics only 224 operate gaming facilities. About While there is great diversity across and verbalized. Deeply held values, general of life are very diverse concepts among or jokes. It is important to listen closely that result from the interaction three-fourths of those tribes reinvest As sovereign nations, Tribal governments within tribes, there are within-region world view, patterns of commun- regions, tribes, and/or individuals. to humor, as it may be seen as invasive between people of different cultures revenue in the community. In 2006, only have the right to hold elections, determine similarities based on adaptation to ication, and interaction are often to ask for too much direct clarifi cation 4. Developing cultural knowledge of 73 tribes distributed direct payments to their own citizenship (enrollment), and to ecology, climate, and geography the differences that affect the Specifi c practices such as ceremonies, about sensitive topics. the particular community served or individual Tribal members. consult directly with the U.S. government (including traditional foods); helping relationship. prayers, and religious protocols will This guide was developed by an to access cultural brokers who may on policy, regulations, legislation, and linguistic and cultural vary among AI/AN communities. • It is a common conception that “laughter ad hoc group of U.S. Public Health have that knowledge Myth: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funding. affi liations; and sharing A common practice of a is good medicine” and is a way to cope. Service Commissioned Officers, 5. Ability to adapt individual interventions, and the Indian Health Service (IHS) are of information for long group or individual that A blend of traditions, traditional spiritual The use of humor and teasing to show American Indian/Alaska Native programs, and policies to fit the the only agencies responsible for working Tribal governments can create and enforce periods of time. represents thoughts, practices, and/or mainstream faiths affection or offer corrective advice is cultural context of the individual, with tribes. laws that are stricter or more lenient than core values, and may coexist. It is best to inquire about also common. (AI/AN) professionals, and family family, or community Fact: The U.S. Constitution, Executive State laws, but they are not subservient Differences beliefs may be an individual’s faith or beliefs instead of advocates working together from Orders, and Presidential memos outline to State law. State laws cannot be applied in cultural described by making assumptions, but be aware that Indirect Communication 2006-2007. The abbreviation AI/AN policy requiring that ALL executive where they interfere with the right of a tribe groups are community many AI/AN spiritual beliefs and practices • It is often considered unacceptable is used for American Indian/Alaska *Adapted from Cross, T., Bazron, B., departments have the to make its own laws protecting the health closely related members as are considered sacred and are not to be Dennis, K., and Isaacs, M. (1989). for an AI/AN person to criticize Native in the interest of space and Towards A Culturally Competent responsibility to consult and welfare of its citizens, or where it to regional “the way we do shared publicly or with outsiders. another directly. This is important consistency. System of Care Volume I. with and respect Tribal would interfere with any Federal interest. differences and things” in a particular to understand, especially when Washington, D.C.: Georgetown sovereignty. may be distinguished tribe, community, Until passage of the Indian Religious children and youth are asked The authors of this guide wish to thank the University Child Development Criminal legal jurisdiction issues are very by their language or clan, or family. This Freedom Act in 1978, many traditional to speak out against or testify Center, CASSP Technical many AI/AN professionals and community Assistance Center. Myth: AI/ANs have complex, depend on a variety of factors, spiritual belief systems. includes decision-making AI/AN practices were illegal and kept against another person. It the highest rate of and must be assessed based on the They are also a result of the processes. secret. may be considered disloyal or members across the country who alcoholism. specifi c law as applied to a specifi c tribe. diversity of historic homelands disrespectful