Culturally-competent Service Caring for Our People Training Project Spirit Lake Dakota Tribe

Cultural Competence s What is it? s Why it matters s Becoming culturally competent s Culture and Disability s View from tribal members with disabilities and their families

CULTURE & DISABILITY “Disabilities are nothing new to Native Americans. In fact, Native Americans often insured that people with physical disabilities were provided for. People with mental disabilities were often regarded as ‘wakan’ (sacred) by many of the tribes.” Erich Longie, President, Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc. Spirit Lake Dakota Sioux

Culture & Disability A person with a disability may be looked at as a liability in some non-Indian cultures. Indian families tend to focus on whatever a person can contribute to the family, rather than limitations. A person with a disability may be looked at as a liability in some non-Indian cultures. Indian families tend to focus on whatever a person can contribute to the family, rather than limitations. People with disabilities are not put in situations where they are set up for failure. They are absorbed in the community the way they are. People with disabilities are not put in situations where they are set up for failure. They are absorbed in the community the way they are.

Importance of Culture If you are an Indian person, you are an Indian person, regardless of the extent of your disability. If you are an Indian person, you are an Indian person, regardless of the extent of your disability. One of the best ways to connect with an Indian person is talk about their heritage. One of the best ways to connect with an Indian person is talk about their heritage.

Significance of Culture “As a child when I moved to a deaf school off tribal lands I couldn’t participate in my cultural rituals such as pow-wows and ceremonies. My life was like a torn piece of paper. When I could reconnect these ceremonies and my ability to be first a Native American and then a deaf person – my life came together again.” - Mark Azure, Intertribal Deaf Council

Full inclusion among tribes in the Great Plains: Example #1: Every pow-wow arena has an area for people with physical disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, with walkers and elderly. Pow-wows are not generally held in the most modern facilities and yet the organizers always make sure there is plenty of room for people with physical limitations and they have the best seat in the house.