TRADITIONALTRADITIONAL ASSMILATIONASSMILATION Assimilation Continuum Period of Cultural Shame Period of Cultural Pride 2009 Bi-Cultural person Federal Policy of Assimilation and Manifest Destiny Treatment Modalities and Assessments To consider

Cultural Foundations of ICWA Concern about the loss of tribal culture Loss of language Loss of spiritual foundations of tribal life Basic philosophical loss of tribal history and people Preservation of tribal child’s heritage Future of tribes were seen in a very precarious position So many adult tribal children coming back without a clue as to who they are

History behind the need for ICWA

Civilization Act, early 1800s The act intended to “civilize” and “Christianize” Indians through federal and private means.

Indian Boarding Schools 1860s – Current Day Children removed from home and sent to military style boarding schools

Alcohol problems effect the reservation communities much more then dominate communities because everyone is related to one another “Problem Drinking” major type of drinking behavior Alcohol introduced early in the trade intercourse between US government and tribal nation as a prelude agreement AODA

AODA CONTIUMM e Experimental use Social drinking Problem Drinking Dependent or an alcoholic About 7% of the population This where a majority of AODA problems occur “Drink to get Drunk” Causes them problems

Strong Cultural Identity foundation Basic Human Needs – Food, Shelter – are met Historical Social Problems Ability to deal with everyday Problems Using and living cultural tools Everyday social Problems Can come at Any time An Elder Teacher Cultural resilience helps work and Deal with on going Social problems Being a Parent Not met Weak

Cultural Social Network Social Network Ceremonies, Family Rituals Extended Family Resource Spiritual advisors, tribal language Social Problem Or Perceived Crisis Resolution Family, friends, Priests, Counselors, teachers, Becomes a Major Problem When it is Weak When it is Strong

Comfort Confusion Traditional Assimilated Areas of Assessment: Family life Social life Self concept Self esteem Self image Education Spirituality Tribal language 1 to 10

FAMILY ROLES IN AN ALCOHOL FAMILY The co-dependent enabler Super hero MascotLost childscapegoat Placator Addict

Family Intervention Find a person to do the intervention Get as many individuals who are close to the individual – family, friends, co-workers Find place to do the intervention Have them practice a starting phrase “because of your drinking I have seen and felt this…” Have treatment facility ready Prep family for their follow up in the treatment process

Intervention Each member look into their own personal memory and find a family or friend who was having a problem with drinking and what was the observational behavior One student be an IP Start the intervention process described Process the feelings

Oppressive behavior among one another based upon low-grade depression See culture as bad or pagan Culture Used only in contextual situations Not used as a way of life Culture is marginalized not seen as the main paradigm of cultural learning Colonialism – “Great White Father syndrome” Cultural Oppression

 Institutional parenting from boarding schools  Traditional methods of conflict resolution not learned or used  Communication patterns disrupted  Domestic violence (no domestic violence prior to contact with European colonizers)  Child physical and sexual abuse  Intergenerational anger lingers  Historical Trauma – Post traumatic cultural syndrome Dysfunctional family dynamics

Diabetes as a major health problem Suicide among youth Mental health problems High risk behaviors High stress levels: Duluth AODA councilor program study Health problems

Traditional Assimilated Acculturated process Period of Cultural Shame Treaties -- removal – wards – allotment – boarding schools -- foster care and Adoption Cultural Continuum Period of Cultural Pride Bi-cultural Assimilated Traditional 631 contracts – ICWA --Casinos –Cultural reaffirmation –tribal schools Building on Cultural strengths of tribal nations

Prior to Casinos unemployment rates were averaging between 50 to 80% Some casinos make just enough to pay employees Rates are down to 15 to 20 percent, some are higher depending on the location of reservation Seasonal types of employment Per-cap distribution varies from no per cap distribution to several hundred thousand. Most tribes have no per-cap distribution Unemployment

Relocation of reservation based families to large urban areas Values different; movement from collective to individualism Types of violent environments children are growing up Movement away from cultural values and teachings Urban areas

Many families returning; infrastructure not set up to deal with large numbers returning Housing Urban Values of individualism conflicts with rural reservation values Everyone knows one another Low level of community depression Reservation schools Problems living on Reservation

On the Reservations In urban areas Unemployment AODA School Interpersonal dynamics Dysfunctional family dynamics Cultural oppression Oppressive among one another Poverty Casinos Social Problems

Dates 1831 – Marshall decision: domestic sovereign nations 1871 – treaties end; are made wards of Federal government; churches involvement in education and civilization of tribal people 1887 – Dawes allotment Act – met to make farmers out of tribal people dividing up tribal land 1924 – given citizenship 1934 – Indian reorganization Act – ends allotment; Indian new deal – relocation period, rez to urban areas 1973 – Indian self determination Act 1978 – Indian Child Welfare Act

Understanding Social Cultural Historical Change Cultural StrengthsSocial and Cultural Problems Community Family Individual Cultural Competency Foundation