AMERICAN INDIAN WELL BEINGAMERICAN INDIAN WELL BEINGAMERICAN INDIAN WELL BEING AMERICAN INDIAN WELL BEING MODEL IN HIGHER EDUCATIONMODEL IN HIGHER EDUCATION

ShawnShawn SecateroSecatero Ph DPh DShawn Shawn SecateroSecatero, Ph.D., Ph.D.April Armijo & Rachelle Simpson (Adult Education Teachers)April Armijo & Rachelle Simpson (Adult Education Teachers)

New Mexico State University at GrantsNew Mexico State University at GrantsNative American Serving NonNative American Serving Non Tribal Serving Institution GrantTribal Serving Institution GrantNative American Serving NonNative American Serving Non--Tribal Serving Institution Grant Tribal Serving Institution Grant

ProgramProgramNASAI CONFERENCE NASAI CONFERENCE -- UCLAUCLA

WORDS OF WISDOMWORDS OF WISDOMWORDS OF WISDOMWORDS OF WISDOM

Advice from Great Grandma:

• “My children: always remember who you are, where you are from, and where you are going in life.

• Believe in yourself, believe in your y , ygoals, believe in your people; Dream of finishing what you started; envision success.

• You all have strong young wings and I am sure you are eager to fly higher.” g

• --Jessie Platero, (1895-1995) Tohajiilee Navajo Elder.

Presentation FormatPresentation FormatPresentation FormatPresentation Format

• Purpose• Connections to Well BeingConnections to Well Being• Four main pillars of Well Being• 16 pillars of Well Being • Question and answer session• Question and answer session• Closing

Holistic LearningHolistic LearningHolistic LearningHolistic LearningH li i Ed i i hil h f d i b d h• Holistic Education is a philosophy of education based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to humanitarian values such as compassion and peace. –Ron Miller, (2009), Holistic Education Review.

• Well Being: The combination of our love for what we do each day, the quality of our relationships, the security of our fi th ib f h i l h lth d th idfinances, the vibrancy of our physical health, and the pride we take in what we have contributed to our communities. Most importantly, it’s about how these five elements interact,” Tom Rath & Jim Harter (2010), Well Being; the Five Essential Elements.

DissertationDissertationDissertationDissertation

• “Beneath Our Sacred Minds, Hands, and Hearts, Stories of Persistence and ,Success Among American Indian graduate and professional students ” University ofand professional students, University of New Mexico, (2009).Q “• Question: “How did you become successful as an American Indian graduate or professional student?”

Study AnalysisStudy AnalysisStudy AnalysisStudy Analysis• Mixed method study using online survey and personal stories.

23 d i i i 19 diff ib l23 study participants representing 19 different tribal groups and 18 institutions across the U.S.

• 17 were first generation graduate students. g g• Professional Level Participants N=-9• Doctoral Level participants N=6• Masters degree participants N=7• 8 married participants• 7 single participants• 7 single participants• 8 divorced participants• Age range: 21-65 years of age.g g y g• 12 female participants• 11 male participants

Research on Well BeingResearch on Well BeingResearch on Well BeingResearch on Well Being

• Stage One: Elder perceptions on well being (traditional Native perspective)g ( p p )

• Stage Two: 23 Study participants perception of well being (Native Scholars)perception of well-being (Native Scholars)

• Stage Three: Western ways of knowledge (non-Native perspective)

• Stage Four: Indigenous conferences and• Stage Four: Indigenous conferences and studies (International Native Scholars)

Well BeingWell BeingWell BeingWell Being

• Write down your personal definition of well being.g

• A few thoughts:Wh did b i l d i• Why did you become involved in education?

• What is your philosophy in life?H did b f l?• How did you become successful?

• Identity• tribe, family, clan,

norms, history, background sub

• Purpose• ceremony, hope,

self-acceptance, dreams life/death background, sub-

groups, dreams, life/death, achievement.

Spiritual W ll

Cultural W llWell

BeingWell

Being

Artistic Well

Linguistic Well

• Expression• Gifts, song, dance,

stories, ritual, food,

• Language• home, school, work

language, literacy,

BeingBeing

stories, ritual, food, crafts.

language, literacy, teaching, revitalization.

Spiritual Well BeingSpiritual Well BeingSpiritual Well BeingSpiritual Well BeingD fi iti S f l t d• Definition: Sense of relatedness or connectedness to others; create meaning and purpose in life; having a belief in and apurpose in life; having a belief in and a relationship with a power higher than the self. (WSU Well Being Site, 2009).

• ORIGIN: American Indian elders• KEY WORD: PURPOSE• Question: What is my sense of purpose in life?• Examples: Daily prayer, career goals,

achievement success life fulfillment andachievement, success, life fulfillment and happiness, elder teachings, faith in self.

Cultural Well BeingCultural Well BeingCultural Well BeingCultural Well Being• Definition: Developing ones unique identity andDefinition: Developing ones unique identity and

the acceptance of all cultures. Its basically knowing who you are, where you are from, and

h i i lif (T h jiil T ib lwhere you are going in life. (Tohajiilee Tribal Elders, 2009).

• ORIGIN: American Indian Scholars• ORIGIN: American Indian Scholars• KEY WORD: IDENTITY• Question: How do I balance my culture and the• Question: How do I balance my culture and the

modern world while I am in college?• Examples: Sense of belonging, cultural practicesExamples: Sense of belonging, cultural practices

and capital, pride in self and community, giving back to people, and self acceptance.

Linguistic Well BeingLinguistic Well BeingLinguistic Well BeingLinguistic Well Being

• Definition: “Learning how to communicate in a variety of modes that focus on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and leading.”

• Origin: Indigenous Scholarsg g• KEY WORD: EXPRESSION• Question: “How will my literacy skills advance• Question: How will my literacy skills advance

my chances of success?”Examples: Native language expressive arts• Examples: Native language, expressive arts, poetry, communication.

Artistic Well BeingArtistic Well BeingArtistic Well BeingArtistic Well Being• DEFINITION: Identifying attributes that• DEFINITION: Identifying attributes that

define what skills you have mastered i l di ti ti t l t ift d tincluding artistic talents, gifts, and arts.

• Origin: Indigenous Eldersg g• KEY WORD: GIFT/CRAFT

Q ti Wh t b i kill h• Question: What basic skills have you mastered and can perform well?

• EXAMPLES: arts, crafts, dance, songs, mastery learning giftednessmastery learning, giftedness.

• Heart• Anger Mgt. Feelings,

Stress Mgt. Happiness, care, positive attitude

• Mind• thinking skills,

critical thinking, study skills, test strategies Learning pg gStyles.

Mental Well Being

Emotional Well BeingWell Being Well Being

Intellectual Well Being

Technical Well Being

• Wisdom• character, survival,

life skills, etiquette, instinct

• Future• Science, math,

computer literacy, d l instinct.development, planning.

Mental Well BeingMental Well BeingMental Well BeingMental Well BeingD fi iti A t t f ll b i th t i di id l• Definition: A state of well being that an individual realizes his/her own abilities, coping skills, and learning how to think in a variety of ways. Canlearning how to think in a variety of ways. Can also be referred to as “Intellectual well being”. (WSU Well Being Site, 2009).

• Origin: American Indian Elders• KEY WORD: MIND• Question: Am I academically prepared to meet

the rigors of college?Examples: study skills learning styles problem• Examples: study skills, learning styles, problem solving, test preparation, research, creativity, technology, and challenging one’s self.technology, and challenging one s self.

Emotional Well BeingEmotional Well BeingEmotional Well BeingEmotional Well Being• Definition: Emotional well being is based on yourDefinition: Emotional well being is based on your

self esteem, how you feel about yourself and healthy behaviors and choices.

• Origin: American Indian Scholars• KEY WORD: HEARTO• Question: Do I know how to balance my

emotions to succeed in college?e o o s o succeed co ege• Examples: stress management, anger

management, anxiety, responsibility for self and g , y, p yothers, character development, humor, positive attitude, and grieving process.

Intellectual WellIntellectual Well--BeingBeingIntellectual WellIntellectual Well--BeingBeing

• DEFINITION: Our degree of openness to new ideas, challenges, and thought provoking mental activities.

• Origin: Indigenous Scholarsg g• KEY WORD: Wisdom• QUESTION: What basic skills have I learned in• QUESTION: What basic skills have I learned in

my life to navigate college?EXAMPLES I ti ti l i b i lif kill• EXAMPLES: Instinctive learning, basic life skills, teachings from elders, interaction. Survival skills.

Technical Well BeingTechnical Well BeingTechnical Well BeingTechnical Well Being

• DEFINITION: The ability to comprehend and apply technology by navigating sources of information.

• Origin: Western ways of knowledgeg y g• KEY WORD: Future• QUESTION: Do I have the necessary computer• QUESTION: Do I have the necessary computer

skills to succeed in college?EXAMPLES: computer literacy communicative• EXAMPLES: computer literacy, communicative technology, science, math.

• Place• home and school

culture, travel, nature, mother

• Body• Diet, exercise,

hygiene, health awareness, drug ,

earth, father sky, living things.

, gawareness

Physical Well

Environmental WellWell

Beingntal Well

Being

Medicinal Well Being

Cyclical Well

Being• Healing• rest, relaxation,

reward, talking circles,

• Time• maturation, stages

of life, rites of passage, death,

Being

counseling, trauma, medicine

gbirth, adjustment

Physical Well BeingPhysical Well BeingPhysical Well BeingPhysical Well Being• Definition: The ability to understand what canDefinition: The ability to understand what can

make our body most efficient and effective, and the ability to recognize and respect our own li it ti (WSU W ll B i Sit 2009)limitations, (WSU Well Being Site, 2009).

• ORIGIN: American Indian EldersKEY WORD BODY• KEY WORD: BODY

• Question: What is good for my body and how do I take care of myself?I take care of myself?

• Examples: personal hygiene, exercise, sports, diet, food preparation, drug and alcoholdiet, food preparation, drug and alcohol awareness, sex education, hobbies, sleep and rest, working with hands, motivation.

Environmental Well BeingEnvironmental Well BeingEnvironmental Well BeingEnvironmental Well Being• Definition: The aggregate of surrounding things, gg g g g ,

conditions, or influences that shape the life of a person or group of people. (Webster’s Dictionary 2009)Dictionary, 2009).

• ORIGIN: American Indian Scholars• KEY WORD: PLACE• KEY WORD: PLACE• Question: Is the college that I plan to attend a

“good fit” for me and my career or academicgood fit for me and my career or academic goals.

• Examples: campus climate, positive role models, p p , p ,respect for nature and animals, student support services, land, and navigating college resources and servicesand services.

Cyclical Well beingCyclical Well beingCyclical Well beingCyclical Well being

• DEFINITION: The acknowledgement of time and change in our daily lives and to address our stages in life.

• ORIGIN: Western Ways of Knowledgey g• KEY WORD: Time/Change• QUESTION: Do I know how to manage my time• QUESTION: Do I know how to manage my time

to succeed in college? EXAMPLES: planning time management age• EXAMPLES: planning, time management, age, life stages/development, acculturation,

Medicinal Well BeingMedicinal Well BeingMedicinal Well BeingMedicinal Well Being

• DEFINITION: The ability to heal ourselves from setbacks in life and to restore our balance in mind, body, spirit, and relations.

• ORIGIN: Indigenous Scholarsg• KEY WORD: Healing • QUESTION: How do we cope with challenges• QUESTION: How do we cope with challenges

and balance our lives? EXAMPLES: healing ourselves from trauma• EXAMPLES: healing ourselves from trauma, challenges, abuse, historical knowledge.

• Goals• short and long

term goals, planning, career awareness job

• Relation• cooperation, humor,

circle of friends, communication,

i l di awareness, job skills, development

social media.

Social Well Being

Professional Well BeingBeing Well Being

Political Well Being

Financial Well Being

• Leadership• decision making,

responsibility, sponsorship, collaboration

• Stability• money management,

financial aid, taxes, meth, credit management, collaboration. g ,finances.

Social Well BeingSocial Well BeingSocial Well BeingSocial Well Being• Definition: Our ability to interact successfully

ithi it d th h t i t fwithin a community and throughout a variety of cultural contexts while showing respect for ourselves and others (WSU Well Being siteourselves and others. (WSU Well Being site, 2009).

• Origin: American Indian Eldersg• KEY WORD: RELATION• Question: Where is my network to help me y p

succeed in college?• Examples: Time management, mentoring,

i ti ti di l ithintimacy, cooperation, dialogue with professor/students, circle of positive friends.

Professional Well BeingProfessional Well BeingProfessional Well BeingProfessional Well Being• Definition: Planning a successful collegeDefinition: Planning a successful college

experience and professional career. O i i A i I di h l• Origin: American Indian scholars

• KEY WORDS: GOALS• Question: How am I going to plan my

college education and my future?college education and my future?• Examples: Financial literacy, planning,

money management, career development, training, life goals, etc.training, life goals, etc.

Economic Well beingEconomic Well beingEconomic Well beingEconomic Well being

• DEFINITION: The management of finances, literacy, and future stability.

• Origin: Western Ways of Knowledge• KEY WORD: FinancesKEY WORD: Finances• QUESTION: Do I possess knowledge to manage

my finances and economic stability?my finances and economic stability?• EXAMPLES: financial aid/literacy, money

management stability banking EFCmanagement, stability, banking. EFC, accounting, retirement, scholarships, etc.

Political Well BeingPolitical Well BeingPolitical Well BeingPolitical Well Being• DEFINITION: Our development of positiveDEFINITION: Our development of positive

leadership attributes that include community development positive change and progress ofdevelopment, positive change, and progress of people.

• ORIGIN: Indigenous Scholars• ORIGIN: Indigenous Scholars• KEY WORD: Leadership• QUESTION: Do I have leadership skills to create

positive change in my environment?• EXAMPLES: leading, learning, positive change,

dialogue with people, role modeling, character. g p p g

Well Being ModelWell Being ModelWell Being ModelWell Being Model

C t f i l h ll i t t i th• Center of circle where all points meet is the individual.Fi t l f i l P l St th• First layer of circle: Personal Strengths

• Second layer of circle: Resources (Person, l thi )place, or thing).

• Third outer layer of circle: Personal Challenges• Fourth outer layer of circle: Plan of Action• Outer Layer of circle: Follow-up and assessment

of well-being pillar, challenges, and plan of action.

Well being at NMSU GrantsWell being at NMSU GrantsWell being at NMSU GrantsWell being at NMSU Grants

NASNTI and NMSU staffNASNTI and NMSU staffNative American

Program atProgram at NMSU Grants (NASNTI Grant)1500 N. Third St.

Grants, N.M. 87020

Tel: (505) 287-6698(505) 287-6699

Left to right: Felicia Casados, NMSU Grants President; Beth Armstead, VP Student ( )

Fax: (505) 287-2329

; ,Services; April Armijo, AE Instructor; Eileen

Martinez, Administrative Assistant; Rachelle Simpson, AE Instructor; Shawn Secatero ( )

grants.nmsu.edu/nasnti P.h.D., NASNTI Director