In every society, various unique characteristics that define communities and individuals living there. In this case, Native Americans have several things that differentiate them from other cultures; these include norms, values, roles, rules, as well as beliefs. Additionally, their designation of authority, control and power gives them a unique brand. To begin with, Native American is a diverse culture, whereby approximately 500 recognized tribes make up the society. Each of these groups has diverse languages, beliefs, customs as well as beliefs. Native Americans have tremendously experienced substantial issues in relation to substance abuse and addiction. The settlers who settled in the region introduced this culture to the Native Americans. Studies show that mortality and morbidity attributed to substance abuse among the Native Americans are at a contagion level.
The Native Americans are indigenous people in United States who reside in the northern region of America. Basically, they are composed of many ethnic groups and native American tribes. The way in which Native Americans are referred has raised a lot of debate for decades. Undeniably, Native Americans have deep-rooted beliefs and norms within their culture. They believe most of the things are sacred despite its size, and for all these believes the experience they undergo has a purpose in life (Lloyd & Wndy, 1997). In their spiritual norms, Native Americans belief in respect, honor and love has their pillars guiding human relationship. In fact, they highly value traditional beliefs related to balance, harmony, wellness as well as the relationship.
Native Americans values are directed towards respect for all people. Certainly, within themselves Native Americans respect and appreciate the uniqueness and differences among them and other people. This Native American value is expressed in staying out of affairs of other people, and put their thoughts into verbal if it is necessary. Therefore, the respect for personal differences is mutual and runs across the diverse groups within the Native Americans. Another value is mutualism; as an attitude, behavior, and value, mutualism permeates most of the things in the Native American social fabric (Straussner, 2002). In that it promotes solidarity and a sense of belonging among the members of the society. In fact, Native Americans cooperative behavior develops consensus and security. In the contemporary Native American community, education has been adapted to stress various aspects of competition as well as emphasize on working for individual gains using cooperativeness.
For every society, roles play a critical role in defining progress and stability. Each member of the native society has well defined roles that are focused towards unity. Native American women are very important in the lives of many peoples. They are not only mothers, but they are farmers, worriers, builders as well as craftswomen. In the view of many Europeans, Native American community lacked complexity (Reynoldson, 2000). In the real sense, the tribes making up Native American society have very advanced form of gender roles and labor division. Gender roles among Native Americans are well defined, and women and men’s responsibilities are equally critical to the survival and functioning of society. In undertaking their roles, man and women respect each other regardless of the type of role-played.
Native Americans have become prominent and influential in power and authority. There tribes are prominently featured in the designation of power, authority and control. The struggle for power and authority began during the revolutionary crisis, whereby Native Americans tried to navigate among the famous European power in North America. In native America, designation of power, authority, and control goes to men, and those with spiritual powers to heal. Women are the backbone of economic and social activities, but they are still viewed, and ranked low among the Native Americans (Lloyd & Wndy, 1997). In fact, in the modern way Native American women take care of their children and their husbands. Despite the designation of authority and power to specific people in society, there is a sense of mutual respect between those with authority and those who do not have. In the past, Native Americans were discriminated during the designation of power, authority and control, but in the contemporary society constitution and democracy has presented equal chances to all people. Their belief in existence of the supreme creator show how they depend on him for various reasons.
Conversably, Native Americans have several problems as compared to any other groups in United States. This problem ranges from diseases and death, which are cause by drugs, alcohol and substance abuse. Most Native Americans had no alcohol and substance abuse in their culture, but due to exploration, trade and colonization, substance abuse was introduced among native Americans (Lloyd & Wndy, 1997). Since then, Native Americans view substance abuse as part of their life. Therefore, most Native Americans always indulge in substance abuse. In fact, the use of substance cuts across various groups that include teens, adolescent and adults. The issue of substance abuse among Native Americans has led to continue unresolved grief and historical trauma that requires a lot of counseling and guidance.
Substance abuse has forced Native Americans into a state of poverty and dependency. Native Americans have always worked to overcome substance abuse generalization and stereotype, and they believe that all Native Americans are part of those who abuse substance. Historically, Native Americans have undergone mistreatment and abuse from Euro-Americans. This historical trauma has become very chronic and has buildup from one generation to another resulting to self-destructive characters. Due to this stereotype belief and unresolved grief, Native Americans are too much reluctant to trust and take in what the Euro-American counselors. Hence, Native Americans view substance abuse as a way of life, and a strategy to overcome historical abuses and problems associated to their society (Reynoldson, 2000).
Native Americans biases and feelings concerning substance abuse counseling is very technical, and more so misguided by stereotypic beliefs. As a matter of fact, Native Americans need to overcome the stereotype belief and view Euro-American counselors differently. Furthermore, there is a lot of institution racism, whereby they need to overcome in order to gain from counseling and guiding programs. The biasness on substance abuse among Native Americans is also associated to discrimination that exists in various institutions. In order to receive appropriate guiding and counseling, Native Americans need to overcome the berries associated with counseling. In that, there are many situations whereby the existing policies and treatment facilities on substance abuse do not clearly coincide with Native Americans cultural needs. On the other hand, some of their beliefs, norms and values may go against the advice of counselors and substance treatment plan (Lloyd & Wndy, 1997).
Perhaps, counseling Native Americans on culture is one of the complex tasks among the counselors. This is because the effects of substance abuse are overwhelming, and more so the diversity of Native Americans worsens the entire counseling process. The counselors need to use various counseling techniques in order to be effective (Straussner, 2002). People counseling the Native Americans should be aware of their culture, and clearly make them feel part of them. Perhaps, in order to deliver good counseling service on substance abuse to Native Americans, the clients and the counselor need to clear their minds of stereotypic thinking that is accessible in the media, as well as through history.
Additionally, as a counselor, it is of great importance, to not only understand, Native Americans culture, but, also embrace their diverse customs and beliefs. The questionnaire to be used during counseling should be in line with their cultural beliefs, norms, and values, as well as been free from any form of biasness or discrimination. As a matter of fact, most native Americans who have a strong connection to nativity identification, will respond positively to those counseling programs that have Nativized substance abuse counseling and programs.
As a counselor, it is advisable to integrate traditional native healing and ceremonial customs into substance abuse counseling process. This will help the client to bond up with various members of the same culture, and share equal problems. Before developing substance abuse counseling and treatment strategy, the counselor should first assess acculturation level of the Native American to be counseled. Generally, in order to maintain their pride and win their trust the counseling programs on substance abuse should fully be associated to traditional cultural beliefs, values and norms (Straussner, 2002).
Conclusively, substance abuse has caused a lot of disability and deaths among Native Americans. The issue is more pronounced that it has affected and influenced the entire generations, Native Americans still lack a lot of infrastructure and still live in remote lands; hence, they rarely receive counseling. The historical injustices, diversity and stereotype thinking makes the approach to substance abuse so complex. Additionally, Native Americans have various challenges, which include lack of professional counseling programs, language barrier, inadequate workforce, as well as distance barrier.
References
Lloyd, T & Wndy, W. (1997). Native Americans: A Thematic Unit of Converging Cultures.
London: Walch Press
Reynoldson, F. (2000). Native Americans: The Indegenous Peoples of North America. Oxford:
Heinemann
Straussner, L. (2002). Ethnocultural Factors in Substance Abuse Traetment. New York: Guliford
Press
