Multicultural Counseling Contexts: American Indians/Native Americans and Alaskan Natives CHAPTER 15 (8th Ed) / CHAPTER 13 (9th Ed) Chapter Objectives and Notes: 1. Learn the demographics and characteristics of American Indians and Alaska Natives. ● 2% pop, highest poverty rate ● Over 25% speak a different language in the home ● Susceptible to stereotypes ○ Mascots - lower self-esteem + community worth ● What is considered indian changes based on tribe/government ● Disproportionately depressed, anxious and substance use ● An extension of the tribe ● Strong women and importance of extended family ● Sharing, cooperation, noninterference, focus on present, interconnected mind & body, nonverbal communication 2. Identify counseling implications of the information provided for American Indians and Alaska Natives. ● The tribe is important to the client’s identity ● Different family structures depending on the tribe ○ Extended family versus nuclear family ○ Counselor must determine the roles of family members so interventions can include the right people ● Collectivism ○ Interventions need to include the input of family and tribal leaders ● Sharing more important than accumulations ○ Intervention emphasize sharing instead of individual goals ● Cooperation in the family structure and tribal needs over individual needs ● Noninterference within the parent-child relationship ○ Teachings through storytelling, spiritual values, and other family members ● Emphasis on the present versus the future ○ Counselor should not set deadlines or time oriented tasks, but focus on the lesson itself ● Importance of holistic spirituality approaches ○ Vision quests: connections of mind, body and soul ● Nonverbal communication: learning from listening rather than talking ○ Direct eye contact disrespectful ○ Ask fewer more direct questions Multicultural Counseling Contexts: American Indians/Native Americans and Alaskan Natives CHAPTER 15 (8th Ed) / CHAPTER 13 (9th Ed) ● Client’s level of acculturation guides intervention strategies ○ Traditional, Marginal, Bicultural, Assimilated, and Pantraditonal 3. Provide examples of strengths that are associated with American Indians and Alaska Natives. ○ More focused on the present than the future. Life is to be lived here and now ○ Spiritual practices are considered protective factors (ex: having positive emotions can be curative or healing can take place simply by talking an old friend on the phone or watching children play) ○ The strength of listening and observing rather than reacting can increase communication and decrease conflict ○ Having the extended extended family is the basic unit: being able to count on their family when in need, getting wisdom from their elders, connection to the past, having a sense of belonging ○ Honor and respect are gained through sharing and giving 4. Know the special challenges faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives. ● Historical disruption of families due to the Indian Child Welfare Act (affects how AI/AN view CPS and runaway youth) ● Education gaps between AI/AN children and White children (some feel that education is unnecessary if job opportunities are available on the reservation) ● Acculturation Conflicts: Feeling conflicted between two different cultures resulting in poor self-image (Traditional values of parents vs. White culture) ● Alcohol and substance abuse among AI/AN due to high poverty rates and living on a reservation ○ Experts have attributed this to cultural practices (sharing and togetherness) and historical loss of traditions ● Domestic violence and physical assault reported in higher rates among AI/AN women compared to other groups due to changes in traditional gender roles after colonization along with economic/social marginalization ● The suicide rate for this population is five times higher than the general population because of poverty, family stressors, historical loss, disconnection from one’s culture/community Multicultural Counseling Contexts: American Indians/Native Americans and Alaskan Natives CHAPTER 15 (8th Ed) / CHAPTER 13 (9th Ed) 5. Understand how the implications for clinical practice can guide assessment and therapy with American Indians and Alaska Natives. ● Explore the client's ethnic identity, tribal affiliation, and adherence to cultural values. As well as family association to a tribe or reservation and the importance of rituals or ceremonies of healing. Determine the appropriateness of a mind-body- spirit-emphasis. ● Understand the extensive history of colonization, genocide & social injustice, experienced by American Indians/ American Natives & learn about local issues associated with the client's tribe or Reservation ● Appreciate the rich diversity among AI/AN in the present & Understand the Resiliency & hope across generations. Don't just focus on the oppressive Past ● Learn about the client using a Client-centered listening style, & when appropriate use self-disclosure & provide the opportunity to identify the focus of the session ● Assess the problem from the client's perspective, extended family & community of the tribe. Determine the role Of the cultural & experiential factors ● Address basic needs, identify possible resources that they Will need such as Indian Health Services or tribal services ● Identify possible environmental problems, consider how they can reduce self blame ● Help children & adolescents determine whether cultural values or an unreceptive environment contributes to their problems ● Help determine concrete goals that incorporate cultural family, extended family & Community perspectives ● Determine whether child-rearing practices are consistent with traditional methods & how they conflict with mainstream methods ● Identity extended family members, Determine their roles, & when appropriate request their assistance in family sessions ● Generate possible solutions with the client & consider the possible consequences of change from all parties. Include strategies that may involve cultural elements & the focus on holistic factors when appropriate Reference Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., and Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
