Presented by: Emily Kennedy and Heidi Schultz March 8th, 2010 Native American Culture Presented by: Emily Kennedy and Heidi Schultz

Native American (NA) Demographics Oregon United States 10 federally recognized tribes Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Warm Springs (Walla Walla) Wasco Paiute 4,000 tribal members 4.3 million Native Americans nation wide 562 federally recognized tribes 150 different Native American languages Cherokee and Navajo Paper says 2 million, IHS says 3.3 million (2000)

History of the Warm Springs bands Warm Springs and Wasco lived along the Columbia and harvested salmon Paiute lived in Southeastern OR and hunted wild game All three spoke a different language

History of the Warm Springs bands Mid 1800’s - tribal way of life jeopardized by settlers 1934 - Indian Reorganization Act – return of self-government to Native American tribes 1937 – Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute organize as the Confederated Tribes of the Warms Springs Reservation of Oregon

NA Health Disparities - History Existed since explorers/colonists arrived in US ~500 years NA much more susceptible to diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, malaria, alcoholism, etc. 1900’s-1960’s – malnutrition is the biggest NA health concern

NA Health Disparities - Today 33.2% of NA are obese vs 24.8% of non-Hispanic whites 16. 5 % of NA have diabetes vs 6.6% of non-Hispanic whites Death rate from alcoholism is 3 times higher in NA than non-Hispanic whites NA health disparities still exist, although the health environment has changed

Federal health program for Native Americans/Alaska Natives Indian Health Service Federal health program for Native Americans/Alaska Natives Mission: to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level

Native American Cultural Values Self as part of a greater whole Relationships and extended family Respect for the knowledge, wisdom, and insight of elders Mutualism – belonging and solidarity Spirituality Interconnectedness of all

Native American Personal Traits Patience Silence Work ethic Practicality Listening vs. speaking Being vs. becoming

Native American Health Beliefs Combine… Religion Herbal medicines Rituals Spirituality Western medicine May include Sweat lodge ceremonies Herbal remedies Spiritual healing Etc.

Native American Communication Styles Group learners/communicators Discussions, story telling, group activities Proper introductions important Handshake, name, place of origin, tribe, etc. Direct questions may be inappropriate Silence and listening May close eyes

Traditional Food Habits Fishing Hunting Gathering Trading Farming Navajo Sheep Juniper ash

Contemporary Food Habits Malnutrition Movement off the reservation for employment Traditional foods replaced by foods from grocery stores, restaurants, and federal programs (SNAP, WIC)

Contemporary Food Habits The Native American diet today: High calorie High fat/cholesterol High sodium High in refined sugars Often include processed food, lard, sugary sodas, salty snacks

Health Education Materials and Projects Pathways – Social Learning Theory National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian Education Fritz Scholder, Heart Indian, 2004

Limitations Many different tribes – each with its own individual history, values, beliefs, language, religion, traditions, and food habits

Conclusion The Native American culture has a lengthy, diverse and magnificent history.

National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian Education Resources Indian Health Service www.ihs.gov National Museum of the American Indian http://www.nmai.si.edu/ Smithsonian Education www.smithsonianeducation.org One Sky Center (OHSU) http://www.oneskycenter.org/

Questions?