- They use languages include English, Navajo, and other tribal languages.
- They speak in a low tone of voice
- Silence indicates respect for the speaker and eye contact is viewed as disrespect
- Body language is important
- Touch another person’s hand during greetings is important
- Some tribes may prohibit touching of a dead body
- Message is used for the newborn infant to promote bonding
- Members are family oriented and basic family unit is the extended family and in some tribes, grandparents are viewed as family leaders
- Elders are honored
- Religion and healing practices are integrated
- Father does all the work outside the home and mother does responsibility for domestic duties
- It is important to teach children to respect traditions
- Community social organization are important.
- Health is assumes as a state of harmony between the person, the family, and the environment and illness is caused by supernatural forces disequilibrium between person and environment
- Traditional health and illness beliefs may continue to be observed
- They have health risks : injury, alcohol abuse, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, arthritis, gallbladder disease, lactose intolerance, and glaucoma.
So it is important as a nurse when giving care to Native American to:
- Clarify communication
- Be attentive to own use of body language
- Understand that client may be attentive even when eye contact is absent
- Encourage client to personalize space
- Assess for availability of running water, infection control and hygiene practice at home
- Provide modes of healing include herbs, restoration balance between person and the universe, and traditional healers
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