CHAPTER 13: Native Americans

1. CHAPTER 13:Native Americans Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach Second Edition Danica G. Hays and Bradley T. Erford

2. Introduction • Native Americans - general term referring to American Indian, Alaska Native people • One who is a registered member of a tribe or whose blood quantum is 1/4 or more, Native American ancestry • Self-identification • Approximately 2.8 million self-identified people • 1.2 million enrolled tribal members in 565 federally recognized tribes/nations with over 150 languages • Approximately 78% in urban areas • High degree of shared cultural standards and meanings based on common core values

3. Native American History • Characterized by institutional racism & discrimination • Attempts to assimilate Native people • 5 Stages leading to the current state of tribal sovereignty: • The Removal Period (1600s to 1840s) • The Reservation Period (1860s to 1920s) • The Reorganization Period (1930s to 1950s) • The Termination Period (1950s to 1960s) • The Self-Determination Period (1975 to present)

4. Native American History Cont. • Historical trauma and historical trauma response • Transgenerational effects of residential schools: • Disruption of families and communities • Impaired emotional response • Repetition of physical and sexual abuse • Confusion of parenting with punitive practices • Loss of knowledge, language, and tradition • Systematic devaluing of native identity • Citizenship Act (1924) • American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978)

5. Current Social & Political Issues • Age: 33.9% of population is under the age of 18; only 5.6% are over the age of 65 • Health • Alcoholism, tuberculosis, diabetes, pneumonia and influenza, suicide rates • Education: 70.9% finish high school and 11.3% earn Bachelor’s degrees • Income and Poverty • Poverty level of 25.7% compared to the 12.4% of U.S. population living in poverty • 45% average unemployment rate

6. Current Social & Political Issues Cont. • Self-determination and sovereignty • Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act passed of 1975 • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 2007 • Some tribal nations have been unable to establish their heritage and obtain federal recognition • Cultural preservation

7. Current Social & Political Issues Cont. • Achievement Gap • “kill the Indian, save the man” • Key reports • The Kennedy Report • Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 • 1966 Presidential Task Force Report • 1990 Indian Nations at Risk Task Force • NCLB in Indian country • External factors (cultural identity, discrimination, duality)

8. Current Social & Political Issues Cont. • Tribal Resources • Approximately 55 million acres of reservation land • $1.4 billion paid to Native Americans as a result of mismanagement of Native American land going back to the Dawes Act of 1877 • An additional $760 million to resolve charges against the Agriculture Department was approved by the Obama administration • Treaty Rights (e.g., fishing rights) • In some cases tribes defy state law, but act in accordance with Indian treaty rights with the U.S. government • Religious Freedom • American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 • Despite this legislation, court case rulings severely limited the religious rights that the law was enacted to protect.

9. Current Social & Political Issues Cont. • Sacred Sites • Many physical conditions such as the spraying and logging of trees, dams, fencing, building roads, mining, hydroelectric plants, urban housing, tourism, & vandalism inextricably affect sacred sites • Repatriation & Reburial • Many ancient graves of Native people have been disturbed by erosion & flooding, plowing, urban development, road building, land-clearing, logging, & vandalism • Mascot Issues • Sports teams using stereotypical, racist images • Gaming • Used to create a stream of revenue to build diversified economies

10. Culture & Values • Harmony & Balance • One’s purpose is as a caretaker of the gift of life in self, others, and the world • Medicine – Everything is Alive • Spiritual practices are an integral part of every aspect of daily life • Necessary for wellness of individual, family, clan, and community • Healing and worship are one and the same • medicine may be physical remedies such as herbs, teas, and poultices, but it is also that which gives inner power

11. Culture & Values Continued • Relation – All Things are Connected • Vision – Embrace the Medicine of Every Living Being • Ceremonies are used for healing, giving thanks, celebrating, clearing the way, and blessing • Tribe/Nation • Individuals are extensions of their tribal nation • Can be matriarchal/matrilineal, matriarchal/patrilineal, or patriarchal/patrilineal

12. Culture & Values Continued • Family • Family is more than blood relatives • Great prevalence of cooperation and sharing • Wisdom Keepers • Elders play an important role • With increase in age comes an increase in the sacred obligation to family, clan, & tribe • Humility • Boasting of one's accomplishments & loud behavior that attracts attention to oneself are discouraged • Dropping head or eyes is a sign of respect for any elder or honored person

13. Culture & Values Continued • Generosity • Whatever belongs to the individual also belongs to the group, & vice versa • Patience • Everything has its place • Important to learn through careful observation, listening, patience, asking questions, or thinking things through • Time • Mother Earth has her own unique rhythms to signal the beginnings & endings of things • One need only observe & listen quietly to know when it is time

14. Culture & Values Continued • Communication Style • Emphasize nonverbal • Moderation in speech and avoidance of direct eye contact are signs of respect • Story-telling and oral recitation • Direct confrontation is avoided • Cooperation and sharing • Being • Develop inner self in relation to everything around us

15. Lessons of the Eagle Feather • Infinitely sacred & used for a variety of purposes • Highly respected elder status is associated with Eagle Medicine & the power of connectedness and truth • Represents a state of being achieved through diligence, understanding, awareness and completion of tests of initiation such as the Vision Quest • Represents duality, tells the story of life

16. Counseling Guidelines • Attend to acculturation level and the influence of oppression on experience and presenting issue • Consciously integrate Native American culture & values into each counseling session • Incorporate model for prevention and intervention to address historical trauma and unresolved grief • Preliminary research findings indicate positive outcomes

17. Counseling Guidelines Cont. • Draw on Traditions • Integrate Spirituality • Use the Rule of Opposites and Seek Balance • Use a culturally-relevant communication style • Use humor as appropriate

18. Counseling Guidelines Cont. • Foster cultural connections • Encourage physical health • Examine/teach historical events • Promote a positive cultural identity • Reduce isolation/enhance social connections • Reduce generational splits • Enhance coping mechanisms • Work with the non-interference principle

19. Social Justice and Advocacy Focus on 3 areas: • Client and student advocacy • Interventions that consider social, political, economic, and cultural context • School and community advocacy • Encourage Native Americans to use strengths and assets for lobbying for improvements • Participate in social justice activities • Public arena advocacy • Work on large social issues that may impact Native Americans • Write articles on pertinent issues