CHAPTER 15

COUNSELING AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKAN

NATIVES

American Indians

American Indians have suffered greatly as a result of:

colonization disease land distribution

Cultural Loss

Culture and language were systematically striped from over 125,000 tribes

Stripping American Indians of their culture, has lead to high rates of alcoholism

The American Indian and the Alaskan Native

This is a very heterogeneous group Some families are matriarchal and some are

patriarchal in orientation

Tribe and Reservation

Indians see themselves an extension of their tribe Tribe and reservation provide American Indians with a

sense of belonging and security, forming an interdependent system

Status and rewards are obtained by adherence to tribal structure

The reservation itself is very important for many American Indians, even among those who do not reside there

Indians who leave the reservation to seek greater opportunities often lose their sense of personal identity, since they lose their tribal identity

Specific Problem Areas for American Indians/Alaskan Natives

Sharing Noninterference Time Orientation Spirituality Nonverbal Communication

Acculturation

Traditional. The individual may speak little English, thinks in the native language, and practices traditional tribal customs and methods of worship.

Marginal. The individual may speak both languages but has lost touch with his or her cultural heritage and is not fully accepted in mainstream society.

Bicultural. The person is conversant with both sets of values and can communicate in a variety of contexts.

Acculturation

Assimilated. The individual embraces only the mainstream culture’s values, behaviors, and expectations.

Pantraditional. Although the individual has only been exposed to or adopted mainstream values, he or she has made a conscious effort to return to the “old ways.”

Guidelines for Clinical Practice

Before working with American Indians, explore ethnic differences and values

Determine the cultural identity of the client and family members and their association with a tribe or a reservation

Understand the history of oppression, and be aware of or inquire about local issues associated with the tribe or reservation for traditionally oriented American Indians

Evaluate using a client-¬centered listening style initially and determine when to use more structure and questions

Assess the problem from the perspective of the individual, family, extended family, and, if appropriate, the tribal community

Guidelines for Clinical Practice

If necessary, address basic needs first, such as problems involving food, shelter, child care, and employment--identify possible resources such as Indian Health Services or tribal programs

Be careful not to overgeneralize, but evaluate for problems such as domestic violence, substance abuse, depression, and suicidality during assessment and determine the appropriateness of a mind-¬body-¬spirit emphasis

Identify possible environmental contributors to problems such as racism, discrimination, poverty, and acculturation conflicts

Help children and adolescents determine whether cultural values or an unreceptive environment contribute to their problem

Guidelines for Clinical Practice

Help determine concrete goals that incorporate cultural, family, extended family, and community perspectives

Determine whether child-rearing practices are consistent with traditional Indian methods and how they may conflict with mainstream methods.

In family interventions, identify extended family members, determine their roles, and request their assistance

Generate possible solutions with the clients and consider their consequences from the individual, family, and community perspectives. Include strategies that may involve cultural elements and that focus on holistic factors (mind, body, spirit)