American Indian Culture

Abstract

This research paper aims to discuss the cultural traditions of Americans Natives/ Alaskan Indians. Moreover it also provide detailed information regarding their beliefs towards mental health services, role of religion in their lives, their sexual beliefs and the concept and role of family in their lives.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion4

Cultural Traditions4

Belief towards Mental Health Services5

Role of Religion7

Concept and Role of Family9

Sexual Beliefs10

Conclusions11

References12

American Indian Culture

Introduction

The term Native Americans refers particularly to the descendants of populace living in what is now the contiguous United States prior to the mass arrival of settlers from other continents. The United States Census combines Native Americans and Alaskan Natives for statistical purposes, although each tribal nation is culturally, linguistically, and politically distinct. Native Americans is also used to refer to indigenous peoples from Central and South America. Other terms to refer to Native Americans include American Indian, Indian, Amerindian, Native, and Indigenous (Sharma & Katherine, 1998). Generally speaking, Native Americans prefer their individual tribal affiliation over the more general term of Native Americans.

Discussion

Cultural Traditions

Historically, the social, political, and economic systems of Native American culture groups were tremendously diverse, ranging from hierarchical systems based on various social statuses to more egalitarian systems. Many culture groups were and still are matriarchal, matrilineal, and/or matrilocal. Among the Iroquois nations of the northeast, women performed all of the agricultural labor and controlled the distribution of their produce, thereby exerting both social and political authority. Iroquois women were also politically active, as were women in many southeastern culture groups such as the Cherokee.

The pre-contact social systems of all Native American tribes underwent great change beginning in the early contact period and continuing today. For instance, the arrival of horses had a tremendous impact on the cultures of many Native American groups, most notably those on the Plains, who became much more mobile. This increased mobility encouraged a period of prosperity for Native American groups whose hunting territories were expanded. Horses quickly became an integral aspect of the spiritual, economic, and political culture of many Plains groups such as the Kiowa, the Sioux, and the Cheyenne (Kawamoto, 2001).

Belief towards Mental Health Services

Native Americans suffer from severe health disparities. Native Americans and Alaska Natives statistically have the highest infant mortality rate in the country, after African Americans. Suicide rates for Native American and Alaska Native youths are three times higher than the rate for their white peers. Heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries are the leading causes of death for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

A good percentage of Native Americans living in United States have mental health problems, and that number is expected to double by 2030 (Smith, 2005). Some older adults have had serious mental illnesses e.g., schizophrenia, most of their adult lives; others have had periodic episodes of mental illness e.g., depression, throughout their lives or develop mental health problems in late life. Among the most common mental health problems in late life are depression, anxiety disorders, and dementia.

Depression is a mood disorder typically characterized by feelings of sadness, low energy, ...