Medical Research on American Indians

American Indians are referred to as the indigenous population living in the United States.
They had lived in the states for a long time way before it was dominated. The American Indians
are peaceful and find fulfillment in creativity and activities involving prayers and the family unit
(Hagan, 2012). Among other things, nature conservation is of significant importance to them.
They perceive nature as God’s gift that requires their utmost protection. They are said to have
originated from Siberia, and their solitary life was interrupted by the arrival of Europeans in
America which resulted in forceful relocation from their land (Hagan, 2012). The American
Indians are active and have a rich heritage.

Health Beliefs and Practices

The American Indians believe that illness occurs as a consequence of the spiritual and
emotional imbalance of a person (Spector, 2002). For instance, their beliefs on dementia patients
are that their spirits have departed them and crossed over to the next world, and the body remains
behind in preparation for subsequent departure. They do not trust the American health care
system due to past indifferences and abuses inflicted on them by Westerners. They also perceive
the basis of the health system as materialistic as opposed to the individual’s care. They agree that
medicine heals a patient but it is not a cure for the disease. They also deem it improper to talk
about death or any adverse outcomes. The healing process is viewed as sacred, and the
individual’s spiritual aspect must be taken into consideration (Helsel, Helsel, Mochel, & Bauer,

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2004). According to their beliefs, the whole community should participate in healing ceremonies
and maintenance of the Indian medicine power.

Family Pattern

The American Indian family setting is open and adopts the village-type features. The
structure is quite extended and incorporates all relatives. The family patterns contribute to the
behavior of every individual since they determine what is considered right and wrong. It also
influences conservative cultural practices (Lum, 2010). Grandparents possess the leadership
authority of the family unit. Elders are regarded in high authority irrespective of the lack of
blood relations with the family. Their ideas on children upbringing and mannerisms are highly
esteemed. The different American Indian family patterns are traditional groups which adhere to
lifestyles defined by culture, bicultural groups that exhibit non-American Indians lifestyle
features and a current pan group that strives to redefine lost cultural practices. The various family
patterns possess different behavioral variables.

Communication Style

The American Indians communication style entails instances where individuals talk to
relate with each other as opposed to other forms where people confide in persons they know
extensively. The younger groups such as children are not allowed to represent themselves
verbally among adults. Verbal discipline on poor child mannerisms is viewed as inappropriate
and should be done in private settings (Lum, 2010). Speaking on behalf of other people is
unheard off irrespective of whether the subject is a child since they believe every person is
entitled to their individual representation.

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American Indians also deem it inappropriate to openly and directly state that the other
party is wrong due to the quest to ensure maintenance of personal autonomy. They also perceive
interruption of conversations as improper and exhibit excessive politeness in their conversations.

Space Orientation

Space orientations have to do with personal comfortable distance between private and public
territories. American Indian culture discourages touching outdoors or holding intimately in open
air. Space also points to attributions related to eye contact or avoiding eye contact (LeBaron,
2003). In American Indian setting, looking down is normally seen as a sign of respect.

Time Orientation

American Indians view time to have a present orientation as opposes to the western
culture that sees time as future oriented. They use natural events to indicate timing and often find
it difficult to align themselves with facility schedules (Kaskutas, 2000). The spatial orientation of
American Indians relies on various natural phenomena and is less rigid and exact.

Nutrition Patterns

The American Indians have inadequate nutritional patterns. Their diets are deficient, and
eating habits are quite poor which often results in obesity and chronic illnesses. Most families are
low-income earners with poor nutrition levels and rely on food programs to acquire commodity
goods (Kaskutas, 2000). The intergenerational models of commodity food utilization have an
effect on individual food preferences and choices. They face economic vulnerability and
nutritional risks. They also have high unemployment rates and low levels of food security.
Continued consumption of poor diets causes fatal chronic illnesses.
Pain Responses

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American Indians do not talk much and have the ability to persevere pain without using
any medication. This culture values silence and as a result, some patients may remain
quiet when in pain so as not to cause dishonor to their family and themselves. Their tolerance
levels are high and may even result in physical disability (Spector, 2002).
Childbirth and Prenatal care

Lack of essential prenatal health care puts American Indians at adverse health risks.
American Indians often have preterm births which cause disabilities like cerebral palsy and
hearing impairments. High infant mortality rates among American Indians are as a result of
prenatal care insufficiencies (Kaskutas, 2000). They seek early and subsequent prenatal care
minimally.

Death and Dying

American Indians believe that one dies when their time on earth given by God comes to
an end (Spector, 2002). They consider it inappropriate to mention death or any issues that have
adverse outcomes. Talking about death is termed as a bad omen. Good to know!

Spirituality, Religion and Faith

The spirituality of American Indians is quite different from other religions. They did not
participate in organized religious meetings and spirituality was a daily life practice. It involved
several ceremonies and hunting rituals. During the ceremonies spirits entered the bodies of
leaders known as Shaman to influence the success of the rituals through chanting and beating
drums (Hagan, 2012). They believed that Shaman could tell why the tribe members experience
failures and tribulations in life. Based on their spirituality they had the belief that spirit creatures
had total control over different weather conditions. The American Indians also believed that
animals were initially human and shared similar ancestry. Female and males underwent various

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spiritual activities whereby upon reaching puberty age young males received a vision of
American Indian spirituality in the wilderness. They described rituals and ceremonies as religion.
Their religious practices and faith were based on nature and natural occurrences.
Holy days among this community involved festival activities such as the Powamu festival
which took place at the end of the month of January (Garroutte et al, 2003). It is also known as
the bean planting festival. They also have a holiday to mark the sun dance festival that involves
healing practices. Only individuals with a reason to pra’’’y with the heart participate in this
ceremony. Makar Sankranti is a holy day marked on the 14th of January with great devotion by
the American Indian community (Garroutte et al, 2003).
Prayer and Meditation

Maha Sivaratri is a festival marked by fasting, intense praying and meditation in honor of
Shiva a very important deity. The American Indians firmly believe in prayer and meditation.
Meditation allows them time to reflect on their behavior and way of life. Through prayer, they
can communicate with supernatural beings. They conduct different prayers ceremonies for
varying issues such as death and healing. The prayers are accompanied by certain types of rituals
based on the occasion.

Conclusion

I have gained vast knowledge about the American Indians and their cultural practices.
Their spirituality and perception of death is part of the information I acquired. Their health
beliefs and practices are also very different from other communities. This has broadened my
understanding on the barriers of effective interpersonal communication and diversity (Blais,
2015). The insights I have gathered about their spirituality and holy days will help me greatly in
dealing with members of this community and adapting to their cultural practices. For instance,

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knowledge of their practices during festivals and holy days will significantly improve my
relations with members of the American Indian community.

References

Blais, K. (2015). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives. Prentice Hall.
Garroutte, E. M., Goldberg, J., Beals, J., Herrell, R., Manson, S. M., & AI-SUPER PFP Team.
(2003). Spirituality and attempted suicide among American Indians. Social Science &
Medicine, 56(7), 1571-1579.
Hagan, W. T. (2012). American Indians. University of Chicago Press.
Helsel, D. G., Mochel, M., & Bauer, R. (2004). Shamans in a Hmong American community.
Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 10(6), 933-938.
Kaskutas, L. A. (2000). Understanding drinking during pregnancy among urban American
Indians and African Americans: health messages, risk beliefs, and how we measure
consumption. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24(8), 1241-1250.
LeBaron, M. (2003). Culture-based negotiation styles. Guy & Heidi Burgess (eds.). Beyond
Intractability. Conflict Research Consortium. U. of Colorado.
Lum, D. (2010). Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding. Nelson
Education.
Spector, R. E. (2002). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Journal of Transcultural
Nursing, 13(3), 197-199.