Saturday, April 18, 2009

journal 9 (lum text reading) "Cultural Competence with First Nations People"

In this chapter it talks about being culturally competent with First Nations People and the need for cultural competence has been identified as an ethical imperative by the NASW in it's code of ethics. It has been determined that competent practice and culturally competent practice are so intertwined that it is impossible to be competent without being culturally competent. Significant diversity exists among First Nations People, and working with different Native groups may require different elements of cultural competence. Social workers must be self reflective, non judgemental, and willing to learn from clients. This will enable social workers to assess clients within their cultural context and to choose culturally appropriate interventions. In planning for interventions and programs, it is critical to assess the level of cultural connection of clients and to find an intervention that is good match.

There is a huge diversity that exists among First Nations Peoples. Over 500 distinct Native American nations exist within the boundaries of the United States. These Nations differ in terms of language, religion, social structure, political structure and many other aspects of their cultures. Many immigrants from Latin America identify as First Nations People. Native American are some of the poorest populations in the United States and many live below the poverty level. Given the vast diversity that exists among Native people, it is important that social workers examine cultural affiliation as part of a basic assessment. Only an individual client knows what his or her cultural identity means to him or her, and the social worker must take steps to seek out this information. Social workers may not be aware that they are working with a Native client unless they ask or the client volunteers this information. Their are many native people who appear phenotypically White, Latino, African American, or Asian.

Because Native Americans are a relatively small population , researchers rarely have adequate samples to examine inter tribal differences. Overlooking diversity among Native Americans results in distorted data regarding strengths and challenges faced by indigenous people. One example of this is in the research on First Nations People and the use of alcohol. Alcohol is more of a problem in some nations then others The stereotype of the drunken Indian perpetuates the belief that indigenous people are biologically predetermined to alcoholism and that they are helpless, hopeless, passive victims.



In order to effectively work with First Nations People, it is important to have an understanding of the historical events that have led to the circumstances of today. The ancestral connection felt my many is important to be aware of to understanding the importance of history. One of the most devastating parts of the history of colonization and oppression of indigenous people in the United States and Canada has only recently begun to receive significant attention. Beginning in the late 19th century and extending into the late 20th century, it was federal policy to separate Native children from their families and to educate them in boarding schools that were often hundreds or thousands of miles from their home communities. The slogan of these schools, "Kill the Indian: Save the man," reflected the belief of the times that all cultural, linguistic, and spiritual practices of First Nations People must be eradicated in order for them to be civilized and have a place within white society. The mission of these schools were essentially cultural genocide. Likewise, the devastating effects of the schools have left many Native people with a severe mistrust of education and other dominant society institutions.

It is important to know that Native nations are recognized as sovereign by the U.S. government. Thus, Native Americans are not simply an ethnic group. In addition to cultural distinctiveness, they have legal distinction from other groups in the United States. Just as Native Americans are not a thing of the past, neither are oppression and social injustice. Social workers can play and important role in fighting continued oppression by publicly opposing social policies and laws that seek to further undermine indigenous sovereignty
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