The Navajo Indians are the largest federally recognized Native American Indian tribe in the United States. Their reservation is spread out through out the four corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
The Navajo use the name Dine because it refers to a term from the Navajo language that means people. The first Navajo Indians lived in the western part of Canada a little over a thousand years ago. They belonged to an American Indian group called the Athapaskans. The Navajo Indian tribes began to travel south, and most settled along the Pacific Ocean. Their tribe today is called the Northwest Coast Indian Tribe.
The Navajo Indians who settled in southern Arizona and New Mexico then became the different Apache tribes. When they reached the Southwest, they began to learn a lot of things from the Pueblo Indians. They learned weaving, how to make clothing, and art. By the 1600s the Navajo had become capable of raising their own food, and making their own blankets, clothes etc. The Navajo Indians lived in homes called hogans, which were made from wooden poles, tree bark, and mud. The hogans were always made to face the east for sunlight. The Navajo Indian tribes made summer and winter hogans. The summer hogans would have one side of the home completely open. The winter hogans were built more weatherproof with mud, and partly stone.
Around 1610, Santa Fe, New Mexico was founded and became the most important town in the New Mexico colony. In 1851, the Americans built Fort Defiance, to stop the Navajo raids that took place between 1849 and 1851. General James Carleton became the commander of the American Troops in 1862. He had the plan to build a fort for the Navajo Indians and force them all to a reservation.
The fort became quite popular by the name of Fort Sumner. The Navajo Indians decided not to surrender, so by March of 1864 more than five thousand Navajos were being held by the soldiers as prisoners. They were forced to walk 300 miles to Fort Sumner in eastern New Mexico. This walk became a very important part of Navajo Nation history and is famously known as “The Long Walk.” The famous treaty of 1868 was signed giving them their own territory and freedom. Later in 1869, Fort Sumner was abandoned, and purchased by a rancher.
The Navajo Indian were hunters and gatherers until they came in contact with the Pueblos, and the Spanish. They then learned the techniques from the Pueblos and the Spanish to grow corn, beans and squash. They eventually got into trade, trading blankets they made from wool, clothing, and cattle. Navajo Indian men were the political leaders, hunters, and the warriors. The Navajo Indian women were the farmers; they tended the livestock, did most of the cooking and took care of the children.
The Navajos base their way of life on a belief that the physical and spiritual world blend together, and everything on earth is alive and their relative. They worship the winds, sun, and watercourses. The Navajo are also cautious about death, and rarely talk about it. The Navajo Indians have two big kinds of ceremonies; one is the Blessing Way, which keeps them on the path of wisdom and happiness. The second major kind of ceremony is the Enemy way. The Enemy Way is to discourage evil spirits and eliminate ghosts.
The Navajo reservation is currently the largest reservation in the United States, with over 200,000 people throughout their 27,000 acres. The Navajo Indian tribe is closely related to the Apache tribes. The Navajo Indian tribes are currently located in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. Most of the tribes are still currently living in their traditional territory today. Today the capital of the Navajo Nation is located at Window Rock in Arizona. Window Rock currently contains the World War II memorial.
In the Navajo culture, shirts were not used. Men wore breechcloths, and women wore Yucca fiber woven skirts. Also, deerskin ponchos and cloaks of rabbits were worn by both men and women to keep them warm. And in the later days they wore clothes woven from the wool of sheep. In the colder weather, the Navajo Indians wore slippers that were called moccasins. The Navajos were very big into jewelry and weaving. The blankets they woven were often called Chief’s blankets because of their value. After the 1900s the Navajo silversmiths began to create Native American Indian Jewelry. Soon after, the silversmiths introduced turquoise into their jewelry making process. This process made Navajo jewelry pieces much more sought after by jewelry collectors. The primary source of silver for jewelry was American coins until about 1890. The American coins then got substituted for Mexican pesos in 1930.
The most common language spoken in the southwestern United States by the Navajo’s is Athabaskan. Athabaskan is the most spoken Native American language in the United States. Most Navajo Indians speak English because the Navajo language is very difficult to learn. The language was so hard to learn that it was used as a secret code in World War II. Athabaskan is conventionally divided into three groups based on geographic distribution: Northern Athabaskan, Pacific Coast Athabaskan, and Southern Athabaskan. Navajo and the five Apache languages are in the Pacific Coast category.
Courtesy of http://www.navajoindian.net/
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Time
In many communities, time may not be as direct and concrete as in general practices throughout the U.S. “Indian Time” challenges most of us who desire to keep to schedules by the clock and some may feel that those who don’t abide likewise are lazy, unmotivated, or irresponsible. However, for many, time is relative to the events and environment of the moment and reflects flexibility. For example, there is no time component in preparation for a community ceremony or event. Instead, once everything is ready, the event or ceremony takes place and concludes when it is finished. This philosophy may carry over into the daily life of the individual with regards to his/her health so that he/she believes they will heal when it is time to be healed.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Medicine Man/Woman
Many tribes acknowledge individual tribal members as healers and/or spiritual leaders. In the “old days” and today, many young men fast and seek visions through practices unique to their tribe. Through these practices, a man may be chosen by his medicine fathers as a person worthy to obtain medicine objects and healing ways. In this belief, the power comes through these sources but the ultimate power is in the Creator or Maker of All Things.
These chosen individuals may be called upon by tribal members to intercede on behalf of an individual in need. Often, these practices are conducted in the privacy of the individual’s home or designated place. If an individual is hospitalized, usually the prayer will be conducted at the bedside. Information is often shared openly but to inquire would be considered rude. This religion is not practiced by all American Indians/Alaskan Natives but is a way of life for many and has been around for thousands of years.
Medicine men and women are treated with the utmost respect throughout the American Indian/Alaskan Native community. It may be helpful to ask a coworker who knows the local customs or authorities what to do when such a person is in their presence. It is always important to acknowledge and respect their importance in the community and among the people.
The service and assistance of a medicine man/woman might be sought by a patient for many reasons. Typically, this is neither something the patient will tell you nor is it recommended that a provider directly ask the patient if they are having or have had a ceremony. Depending on the relationship you have with your patient, allow them to volunteer this information. However, there might be something unusual noticed with the patient that might catch a provider’s attention. Before directly asking the patient what is going on, we would recommend excusing yourself from the exam room or waiting until after the medical visit is completed. As a medical provider, you could seek a tribal community member who is on staff to inquire of what was seen—without breeching HIPAA. As with any form of healing methods, adverse outcomes can occur. However, because the spiritual and mental impact on the patient is unknown, we should not judge negative outcomes of these alternative healing methods. If you show respectful concern, tribally affiliated staff will be more willing to assist in your understanding of their culture and methods of healing.
One of our contributing pharmacists provides an intriguing example of the incorporation of cultural beliefs and practices along with “western medicine”.She mentions,
These chosen individuals may be called upon by tribal members to intercede on behalf of an individual in need. Often, these practices are conducted in the privacy of the individual’s home or designated place. If an individual is hospitalized, usually the prayer will be conducted at the bedside. Information is often shared openly but to inquire would be considered rude. This religion is not practiced by all American Indians/Alaskan Natives but is a way of life for many and has been around for thousands of years.
Medicine men and women are treated with the utmost respect throughout the American Indian/Alaskan Native community. It may be helpful to ask a coworker who knows the local customs or authorities what to do when such a person is in their presence. It is always important to acknowledge and respect their importance in the community and among the people.
The service and assistance of a medicine man/woman might be sought by a patient for many reasons. Typically, this is neither something the patient will tell you nor is it recommended that a provider directly ask the patient if they are having or have had a ceremony. Depending on the relationship you have with your patient, allow them to volunteer this information. However, there might be something unusual noticed with the patient that might catch a provider’s attention. Before directly asking the patient what is going on, we would recommend excusing yourself from the exam room or waiting until after the medical visit is completed. As a medical provider, you could seek a tribal community member who is on staff to inquire of what was seen—without breeching HIPAA. As with any form of healing methods, adverse outcomes can occur. However, because the spiritual and mental impact on the patient is unknown, we should not judge negative outcomes of these alternative healing methods. If you show respectful concern, tribally affiliated staff will be more willing to assist in your understanding of their culture and methods of healing.
One of our contributing pharmacists provides an intriguing example of the incorporation of cultural beliefs and practices along with “western medicine”.She mentions,
“Many tribes have cleansing rituals prior to ceremonies. In one particular patient I have been dealing with for over 20 years, each time he danced (and he loved to dance in ceremonies) he was hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, edema, and has since developed CHF, as we would have anticipated. However, he is 88 now, and still dances twice a year, with the full fasting and preparation of herbs. He is himself a medicine man. We developed an agreement over the years, that he would substitute herbs, for his meds. My job was to tell him exactly what his benefit was from the white medicine, and he would match it with his herbal remedies. We did pretty well, actually. He takes our medication, unless he is cleansing, and he understands that his herbs, although they give him about the same results, cardiac wise, impair his anticoagulation. We just discontinue his warfarin for fasting, after we have worked him up to the higher level of normal, and he restarts it immediately. He drinks more tea, with aspirin like qualities, the days he is fasting, as it is allowed. It took about 3 years to get to the sharing point, but I feel quite sure together we have made it possible for him to reach his soon to be 89th birthday, and still participate with dignity in his tribal rituals”.She continues on to share,
“We did have another medicine man, who worked out of his car in the hospital parking lot, talking about what shysters and killers of Indians we were! … I just stopped by each evening and visited with him. We began talking, and once or twice I asked about a treatment and commented about his treatment that seemed to help one of the patients, and… about how I was SURE he was aware that anticoagulation drugs were affected by herbs and that caused stroke, etc. He educated me, and I educated him. We did not always agree, but we did communicate with each other and probably the most important thing was we were seen communicating. That meant I was NOT the enemy any more. He even offered to smoke my daughter’s horse prior to the national finals rodeo…This helped a great deal. People began to ASK if their medicine man medications would help or interfere, or could be a problem. When it came right down to it, few things are ingested, and there is lots of positive reinforcement through the medicine man”.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Food
In some communities, you should not refuse food when offered, or ask for something that’s not offered. This is considered rude. Many tribes offer food or beverage as a courtesy to their guests. Many tribes share the same history of “feast and famine” so sharing food has become a cultural norm. Sharing also promotes the cultural understanding of “give and take”. For example, “If I share with you now, there might come a day that when I am in need then you will share with me.”
If you are providing education, be aware of the foods that are commonly prepared in that particular community. For example, if the individuals eat fry bread, you might suggest making the bread with ½ wheat flour and ½ white flour along with cooking in vegetable or canola oil instead of lard. You might also suggest smaller portion sizes. We do not suggest that you recommend changing their eating habits completely, for example telling them fry bread is bad and they should never eat this type of bread. Rather encourage healthy choices with their daily or ceremonial diet.
Be aware that some individuals rely upon commodity food and/or do not have fresh fruit and vegetables readily available. Consider attending local powwows or talking circles to see what they traditionally eat and how it’s prepared. Again, encourage individuals to do the best that they can with what is available to them.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
If you are providing education, be aware of the foods that are commonly prepared in that particular community. For example, if the individuals eat fry bread, you might suggest making the bread with ½ wheat flour and ½ white flour along with cooking in vegetable or canola oil instead of lard. You might also suggest smaller portion sizes. We do not suggest that you recommend changing their eating habits completely, for example telling them fry bread is bad and they should never eat this type of bread. Rather encourage healthy choices with their daily or ceremonial diet.
Be aware that some individuals rely upon commodity food and/or do not have fresh fruit and vegetables readily available. Consider attending local powwows or talking circles to see what they traditionally eat and how it’s prepared. Again, encourage individuals to do the best that they can with what is available to them.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Native Language
Many communities speak their native language when they are among each other. Although you might not understand the words, do not feel left out as this is their preferred method of communicating and for most, English is not their primary language. You may also find that some native languages intersperse English words while they talk because there are no native words to describe what they are trying to say. One pharmacist, speaking on behalf of her community says,
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
“Please do not become offended when a conversation is being carried out amongst one another in the Crow language. An unwritten understanding is that we speak our language to one another first, then translate for non-speakers who may be present. A Crow speaker does not intend to be rude or make one uncomfortable by speaking the language.”Unfortunately, you might also recognize that the younger generation may not speak their language fluently or at all. If you find the need to use an interpreter, remember to address the patient NOT the interpreter. The interpreter is there to assist you and is not the patient in need of medical care. You’ll realize that some sites utilize the pharmacy technicians as interpreters even though the patient has a native speaking family member with them. This is done because sometimes the family member is not familiar with medical terminology or does not speak fluently and the pharmacist would not know what is being said by the family member.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Explaining potential outcomes/side effects
Many communities believe that by talking about a potential problem, it will make the problem come true. If you want to discuss a potential complication or side effect, we recommend that you use the third person dialogue such as, “In some people…who don’t control their blood pressure, their kidneys can get tired out from having to work so hard. This may cause the kidneys to stop working”, rather than saying, “If you don’t control your blood pressure, your kidneys will stop working”.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Questions
Questions
Most individuals realize that health care providers utilize questions to better understand medically related issues. However, be aware that asking additional questions that are not related to the medical concern can actually offend an individual who may perceive you as “nosey”. This may be true if you are asking about why a certain tradition is practiced the way it is or what goes on in the kiva, for example. Stay focused on the medical aspects of care, but if you need additional information, creatively unite it with the issue at hand.
In addition, pharmacists usually need to know a complete medication list and will often ask about herbal use. Some individuals might feel uncomfortable sharing that sort of information because it can be related to sacred ceremonies. Instead, one might say, “We try to get a complete medication list to make sure medications are not interacting or harming the body. Would you be comfortable sharing with me the names of any herbal or traditional medicines you might be using?” If the individual says, “no” then don’t pursue it. The person might not know the common name of the plant or may only know the native name in their traditional language. In addition, it may be taboo to discuss certain information or even say the names of the medicines outside of a ceremony or blessing.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
Most individuals realize that health care providers utilize questions to better understand medically related issues. However, be aware that asking additional questions that are not related to the medical concern can actually offend an individual who may perceive you as “nosey”. This may be true if you are asking about why a certain tradition is practiced the way it is or what goes on in the kiva, for example. Stay focused on the medical aspects of care, but if you need additional information, creatively unite it with the issue at hand.
In addition, pharmacists usually need to know a complete medication list and will often ask about herbal use. Some individuals might feel uncomfortable sharing that sort of information because it can be related to sacred ceremonies. Instead, one might say, “We try to get a complete medication list to make sure medications are not interacting or harming the body. Would you be comfortable sharing with me the names of any herbal or traditional medicines you might be using?” If the individual says, “no” then don’t pursue it. The person might not know the common name of the plant or may only know the native name in their traditional language. In addition, it may be taboo to discuss certain information or even say the names of the medicines outside of a ceremony or blessing.
http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness
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