Cultural Group: Native American
History and Language
- Were native to North American continent;
- Were discovered by Europeans: 15th century;
- Lived in tribes with own hierarchies;
- Speak multiple languages depending tribe belonging;
- Were oppressed and put in reservations.
Norms
- Have unique belief systems and traditions;
- Family is seen as cornerstone of society;
- The elderly are valued and respected;
- Practice Christian and Native tribal religions;
- Ceremonies reinforce their values and beliefs.
Art
- Both collective and individual art exists;
- Art objects serve a functional purpose;
- Art could be religious and political;
- Natural materials were used as art;
- Art reflects belonging to tribes.
Lifestyle Characteristics
- Today, Native Americans live regular lives;
- They work a lot to sustain families;
- Hunting and gathering are still present;
- Most live in reservation territories (“Living conditions,” 2015);
- Are very close to each other socially.
Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals
- Close-knit relationships with family and friends;
- Low population numbers keep communities close;
- Family – the center of relationships;
- Kinship status is highly valued within communities;
- Tribes maintain sovereignty from the US.
Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society
- The group has not assimilated successfully;
- Reservations – a barrier from mainstream society (Brave, 2016);
- Younger generations tend to do better;
- Tribally-centered beliefs marginalize communities;
- History of tensions limits assimilation significantly.
Health Behaviors and Practices
- High behavioral risks – poor health outcomes;
- High prevalence of consuming tobacco;
- High rates of physical inactivity, obesity;
- Low fruit and vegetable consumption;
- Limited cancer screening and seatbelt use (Cobb, Espey, & King, 2014).
Socio-Cultural Group: Cherokee Heritage
History
- One of the largest tribes;
- Name: “people of different speech” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019, para. 1);
- Amounted to 22,500 people in 1650 (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019);
- Controlled territories of 40,000 square miles;
- North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Appalachians.
Values and Worldview
- Values of harmony and balance;
- Ethnomedical system and environmental ethics;
- Honor nature and animals as sacred;
- Living in harmony with the world (Duran, 2002);
- Believe in ghosts and after-life.
Language and Communication Patterns
- Cherokee language – native tribal language;
- Native language declining in use;
- Differs from other Iroquoian languages;
- Used for official communication and education;
- Families may speak in Cherokee language.
Art
- Traditional clothing and accessories: utility;
- Pottery and basketry are present today;
- Use natural materials and organic paints;
- Art, including literature, is nature-centric;
- Stories and books also retold history.
Norms and Rules, Lifestyle Characteristics
- Norms and rules influenced by heritage;
- Education is of high importance;
- Family and father roles are important;
- Women take subordinate positions, preserve families;
- The old are valued by Cherokee.
Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals
- Numbers and colors occur in ceremonies;
- Purification ceremony: bathing in water;
- Spirituality is valued in relationships;
- Children are expected to obey parents;
- Witchcraft remains an important aspect.
Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society
- Reasonable degree of assimilation to society;
- Christian religion allowed to assimilate further;
- Communities promote their cultural identity;
- Promote interactions with other groups;
- Reservations encourage keeping communities close.
Health Behaviors and Practices
- Natural healing rituals to maintain health;
- Substance misuse and addiction to tobacco;
- Increased occurrence of life stressors;
- Poor cancer management and prevention strategies;
- Inadequate financial capabilities for health maintenance.
Both Groups
Common and Distinguishing Characteristics
- Common: the value of family structures;
- Common: values are nature-oriented;
- Common: addiction to tobacco use;
- Common: ineffective health behaviors and outcomes;
- Different: Cherokee are better assimilated.
Approaches to Health Care
- Both groups can be approached similarly;
- Tobacco abuse needs to be prioritized;
- Cancer screening should be implemented;
- Holistic practices should be integrated;
- Financial support is greatly needed.
References
Brave, J. (2016). Rand Paul thinks ‘lack of assimilation’ is Native Americans’ problem. HuffPost. Web.
Cobb, N., Espey, D., & King, J. (2014). Health behaviors and risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2000-2010. American Journal of Public Health, 104(Suppl 3), 481-489.
Duran, B. (2002). American Indian belief systems and traditional practices. Web.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2019). Cherokee. Web.
Living conditions. (2015). Web.