The Cree tribes understanding of health is something very much different from what a
modern North American society would understand it as. This is because health is not a
universal entity, but it is a social reality constructed by different people using different social
meanings and symbols. Health can then be seen as a complex, dynamic process that can
incorporate religion in contrast to the baseline standard thought of health as a biomedical or
epidemiological practice. The Cree’s practice of health is political in a sense where it acts as a
strategy for cultural assertion and resistance with a balance of power between the state, the
individual, and disenfranchised groups. The Cree’s understanding of health cannot be seen
outside of colonialism. The forced displacement, pervasive racism, and failed attempts of
assimilation have set up a historical, cultural, and social context that subsists today. Health to
the Cree is identification, a realization of self that exists because of historical confrontations
that developed beliefs and practices over time. The term white man or waamstikuushiiu
represents how through history and even today, the constant oppression colonization has had
on the Cree’s way of life. The Cree have given meaning to this idea of white man that is beyond
the universal meaning through the senses. Through changes and threats, each generation has
been able to learn, embody and envision ways of life and being Cree. The idea of health and
The Native American culture is the original culture of the United States. Members of Native American tribes live throughout the country. “There are an estimated 4.9 million persons, in 565 federally recognized tribes who are classified as American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AI), alone or in combination with one or more other designated racial classifications. This demographic group compromises 1.6% of the U.S. population” (Horowitz, 2012). Wisconsin is home to the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Ojibwa (Chippewa), and the Potawatomi tribes (“American”, 2014). It is important for nurses within this state, as well as any other state, to understand the Native American belief system in order to provide a quality healthcare experience. Nurses are the primary point of contact in the healthcare setting. Client advocacy is one of the nurse’s major roles. Therefore, the nurse should have the highest level of diversity understanding for the cultures within the local region.
Causative considerations are multifactorial regarding the development of low health literacy rates in Aboriginals, inclusive of socio-economical disadvantages, geographical considerations, and social/environmental influences (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2015). Differing conceptualisations of reality or ‘worldview’ are present within Aboriginal culture, which vary from westernised civilisation. Indigenous history lacks a biomedical background, and encompasses differing views of disease/illness, which may be associated with personal actions/behaviours, social order, and spiritual health. As an example, disease may be viewed as the consequence of sorcery/voodoo (Vass, Mitchell, & Dhurrkay, 2011). Other factors may stem from mistrust of westernised medicine/civilisation due to ‘The Stolen Generation’ or ‘social engineering’ and previous cultural genocide (Shahid, Finn, & Thompson, 2009), English as a second language, and lack of connection/engagement with westernised pedagogy frameworks for health teaching (Yunkaporta, 2009). Other considerations may correlate to
The use of the term ‘multidimensional’ signifies that health, as noted by several definitions in the
The main topic of this essay is Indigenous health. It will show how males and females are impacted physically , socially and mental in the indigenous community. The essay will talk about what is health and using it to discuss in relation to the social determinate’s of health.As defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) it is a “ state of complete physical , mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
In regards to personal practice, the article is valuable for a future desire to work with the indigenous peoples of Canada. Much like the treaty of Witangi, the Metis people of Manitoba signed land agreements without proper translation and lost land in addition to cultural heritage. The idea of Just Therapy mentions the importance of practicing and promoting
History: Indigenous communities have existed for thousands of years on the Canadian territories. They lived as independent nations, with different degrees of socio-cultural, political and economic complexity. After European came, their interactions were divided into four periods: first – mutual respect, second – first conflicts, third
It will define the lay perspective of health and illness (traditional ideas about health and cross-cultural perspectives of health) and relate it to the biomedical and social models of health.
In 2011, Canada was ranked 9th in the Human Development Index (HDI) and is one of the most developed countries in the world, yet over half of their Indigenous population lives in poverty and suffers from hunger. There are approximately 1.4 million Aboriginal persons in Canada according to a 2011 report by Statistics Canada. A large amount of people speculate why there are so many people suffering in such a highly developed country. The causes of Aboriginal suffering and hunger are believed to be the lack of education and health issues that then lead to the primary cause of hunger which is poverty.
I will present literature based on Ojibwa worldview and responses to social and psychological health both from a historical and contemporary view. Case studies provide a grasp of what it means to view social and psychological health based on Ojibwa medicine women and the ways they have used their knowledge and treatments to respond to psychological stress.
From an Indigenous person of Canada’s perspective, there is more to healing someone from an illness than focusing only on the body. They believe that there must also be a focus on the individual’s spirituality (Keightley et al., 2011, p. 240). A doctor, who practices modern western medicine, places their focus on the physical body and follow a specific scientific process that depends on the illness being cured (Keightley et al., 2011, p. 241). These different approaches to medicine are based on the philosophies and beliefs that a person has, and can often raise debate in certain medical situations. The death of Makayla Sault raised a conflict between traditional medical practices, and western medical practices.
WHO, 1986 defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Therefore, it is viewed as much a social as a biological issue. "Healthy" is broadly used in the framework of “healthy environments” as to its impact on the benefit of humans.
Despite the critical value of the concept of health, its unambiguous definition still remains problematic. There were a significant number of attempts to solve this issue but a solution that would suit everyone has not yet been found. Obviously, the reason lies in the fact that this category has a complex integrative nature and requires comprehensive research.
When we talk about health, we usually identify it only with physical health for the simple reason that
The worldview of the Cree differs from that of mine in numerous ways as our religions, cultures and ethnicities are completely different. The Cree perceive life to be non-linear and interconnected as they believe that in their lifetime, one cycles through four different stages. Individuals start out as spirits, grow into young people who are continuously changing, become responsible adults and finish as elders who are wise, but tend to go back into infancy as they age. On the other hand, the concept of life I have as a Muslim is very linear since we believe that one’s behaviour in this world determines their fate in the final destination, the hereafter. While an individual who has more good deeds is gifted with eternal happiness and tranquility in Paradise, those who have more sins are punished accordingly in Hell. Additionally, the Cree believe that in order for society to function harmoniously, young children must be brought up by the adults while the youth should be taken care of by the elders. This concept is based on the teachings of the drum since when you tie a drum, the first tie connects the adult to the infant, and the second tie connects the elder to the youth. Thus, teaching that while adults have the ability to nurture an infant, elders possess the knowledge and patience to speak to the youth. However, as an individual who adheres to Indian traditions, I believe that along with
The term of “Health” means not just the physically absence of disease and it was also