American Indian\ Alaskan Natives SW 840

Mt. Rushmore The founding fathers on that rock shared common characteristics. All four valued white supremacy and promoted the extirpation of Indian society.

The United States' founding fathers were staunchly anti-Indian advocates all four provided for genocide against Indian peoples of this hemisphere

. RedCloudSioux SittingBullSioux ChiefJosephNezPerce AmericanHorse  George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826),Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln 

Sterilization of American Indian Women (1960s-1970s) GAO investigated 4 Indian Health Services program areas and found 3,406 sterilizations were conducted without proper consent in 3 HIS Areas between 1973 and1976. Doctors performed the sterilization as a form of birth control • Government Accounting Office (GAO), Comptroller of the United States, Investigations of Allegations Concerning Indian Health Services; Washington, DC. US Government Printing Office, November 4, 1976.

Urban status Although many people think of AI/ANs in connection with reservations (Tsethlikai, 2007) the majority (66%) of the 4.5 million AI/AN in the U.S. live in urban areas (U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005). In California 70% of AI/AN live in urban areas

Migration to Urban Areas The 1950s marked the beginning of a large migration of AI/AN to urban centers throughout the U.S. During this time period federal funds were allotted to increase AI/AN assimilation processes through urban occupational incentives.

U.S. policies for assimilation led to a startling increase in the removal of AI/AN children from their homes By 1974 between 25% - 35% of all AI/AN children were in out of home care

Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) This law was passed to stem the removal of AI/AN children from their homes

American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) in Foster Care System The number of children in out-of-home care in the United States was 400,540 in September of 2011 2% of children were AI/AN AI/AN represented only 1% of general population (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, September 2012)

Disproportionate numbers In 6 States, the % of AI/AN children in foster care was at least 1 and 1/2 times greater than the % of these children in the State’s child population. 4 States had three times greater 7 States, four times greater • (Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Washington and Wisconsin). Children’s Bureau (ACYF, ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.(2011) Available online http://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/data/overview

The Graph of AI/AN children in out-of-home care compared to state census

Literature Factors associated with out-of-home-care Neglect (Minnesota - 75.8%) Poverty Substance Abuse Domestic Violence Mental health Age of child

Myths

Myth: AI/AN people have distinguishing physical characteristics, and you can identify them by how they look. Fact: Due to Tribal diversity, as well as hundreds of years o f i n t e r - Tr i b a l a n d i n t e r -racial marriages, there is no single distinguishing “look” for AI/ANs.

Myth: Casinos have made AI/ANs rich. Fact: Out of more than 560 Federally recognized tribes, only 224 operate gaming facilities. About three-fourths of those tribes reinvest revenue in the community. In 2006, only 73 tribes distributed direct payments to \individual Tribal members.

Presently, there are more than 560 Federally recognized AI/AN tribes in the United States. Over half of these are Alaska Native villages. Additionally, there are almost 245 non-Federally recognized tribes. Many of those are recognized by their States and are seeking Federal recognition.

In the 2010 U.S. Census, tribal groupings with 100,000 or more responses were:  Cherokee (819,105) Navajo (332,129)  Choctaw (195,764)  Mexican American Indian (175,494)  Chippewa(170,742)  Sioux (170,110) Apache (111,810) Blackfeet (105,304)  

Alcohol use Binge alcohol use Heavy Alcohol Use All populations 59% 23% 7% AI/AN 42% 33% 12% White 57% African American 41% 20% 4% Latinos 43% 24% 6%

Adaptive Behavior When did you know you were an outsider? -what was your culture and what was theirs? -how did it feel? -how did you adapt yourself? -how do we adapt ourselves when working with people from other cultures?

Traditional Indian Values vs. All American Mainstream Values Clan/communal emphasis Individual Emphasis Sharing Winning Present-time orientation Future Orientation Spiritualistic Materialistic Time non-awareness Time awareness Harmony with nature Conquest of nature Passive Aggressive Giving/spending Acquiring/saving Appreciates/honors silence Avoids silence Respect of other religions Converting/proselytizing (Source: The Indian Child Welfare Act, Handbook by Rose-Margaret Orrantia; Cultural Awareness; the Indian Perspective, Marilyn Robinson).

Events to consider as important Resiliency Factors Events to consider as important -naming ceremonies -sweat lodge & other purification ceremonies -sundance & other renewal ceremonies -end of life services, wakes, burials -end of cycle after death ceremonies

The Importance of Introductions

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING TRIBAL RELATIONSHIPS Creativity –unique welfare and Social issues combined with a distinct lack of precedent in collaboration demand a high amount of creativity in each stage of relationship development Patience- introduction is extremely important. It is also important to allow time for broad introductions of many Tribal members

The goal is “to listen, understand, and learn to help.” Preparation and Planning – research the particular Tribes and Tribal cultures in a respectful way, knowing Tribal leaders names, governing structures. Respect – sincere respect. It is crucial to be aware of the “Head of State” status that the Chief or Governor of the Tribe has. Native American women, people, and Tribes are the experts on their own lives. The goal is “to listen, understand, and learn to help.”

Solicit support, input and guidance. Who to Contact First? Personal phone call – then a letter and email to the nearest ICWA rep or Tribal contact. Questions: Is there anyone in the community that has a special interest in the needs of tribal foster youth? Who do people go to for advice in working with tribal foster youth and young adults? Solicit support, input and guidance.

Who at the health center is working with ICWA and can assist identifying tribal youth eligible for services? Who should I contact at the tribal council about our project and what is the best way to approach them? Develop contacts and become familiar with your local tribe. You may give a presentation at the local tribal council meeting. Be brief and keep tribal youth at the center of your presentation.

What If I’m Not Native? Learn as much as you can about the local tribe(s), especially their history and relationship with federal and state programs. Take the time to learn about the key tribal organizations. Show that you are committed to being part of the community: attend community functions (fiestas, pow wows, cultural gatherings, health fairs, etc.).

Indian Lands today

Forced Sterilization of American Indian Women (1960s-1970s) GAO investigated 4 IHS program areas (but only obtained data from 3, ABQ used CHS for sterilization) 3,406 sterilizations in 3 IHS Areas between 1973 and 1976 • Government Accounting Office (GAO), Comptroller of the United States, Investigations of Allegations Concerning Indian Health Services; Washington, DC. US Government Printing Office, November 4, 1976.

Violence against Women An analysis of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reveals that rates of rape and other sexual assaults are higher for American Indian and Alaska Native women compared to both African American and white women.

National annual incidence rates and lifetime prevalence rates for physical assaults are also higher for American Indian and Alaska Native women compared to other women.

American Indians, in general, experience per capita rates of violence that are much higher than those of the general population. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the Department of Justice, 70% of American Indians who are the victims of violent crimes are victimized by someone of a different race,

1 out of 3 American Indian and Alaskan Native women are raped in their lifetime, compared with about one out of five women in the overall national statistic. A significant characteristic of violence against Native women is the identity of the offender: about 9 out of 10 rape or sexual assault victims estimated the offender was someone of a different race.

We’re a Culture, Not a Costume

Current Trends More than one half Native American entering College Freshman will leave after their first year. Native American retention rate is 15% below the national average.

For every 100 Native students entering ninth grade, 60 will finish high school. About 20 will enter college and only 3 will graduate with a four-year degree Source: National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education, 2002

Native American Student Challenges: Feeling of alienation/isolation on campus community. Institutionalization of Western philosophies and values in Higher Education. Native communities are not being included in the decision making process.

Inter-cultural Oppression Tribal Differences not being validated. Lack of Native American faculty, staff and role models. Lack of Culturally Relevant Support and Developmental Services.

Lack of awareness about the needs of Native Students. Lack of collaboration efforts between college and tribal institutions. Lack of financial resources

To provide culturally competent social work understand and appreciate diversity among and within Native American populations know the history, culture, and contemporary realities of specific Native American clients have good general social work skills and strong skills in patience, listening, and tolerance of silence

be aware of his or her own biases and need for wellness display humility and a willingness to learn be respectful, nonjudgmental, and open-minded value social justice and decolonize his or her own thought processes. Indigenous People and the Social Work Profession: Defining Culturally Competent Services. By: Weaver, Hilary N., Social Work, 00378046, May99, Vol. 44, Issue 3