The State of California is home to 111 American Indian tribes, 108 of which are Federally recognized sovereign nations. ADP is committed to ensuring that all Californians have access to effective services provided in a manner compatible with their cultural health beliefs and practices. ADP has dedicated this website to sharing information which may be of assistance to Native American patients seeking culturally competent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, and Problem Gambling services, service providers looking for information that will help them to provide culturally appropriate services to their Native American patients, and anyone interested in learning more about culturally appropriate AOD and problem gambling resources available within California.
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Tribal Sovereignty
Establishing trust with members of an American Indian community may be difficult. Many tribal communities were destroyed as a result of the introduction of European infectious diseases. Additionally, many treaties made by the U.S. government with tribal nations were broken.
From the 1800s through the 1960s, government military-style and church-run boarding schools assimilated American Indian people. Children were forcibly removed from their families to attend schools far from home and punished for speaking their language and practicing their spiritual ways in a stated effort to “kill the Indian, save the child.” Many children died from infectious diseases, and in many schools, physical and sexual abuse by the staff was rampant. Boarding school survivors were taught that their traditional cultures were inferior or shameful, which still affects many American Indian communities today.
The federal "termination policy" in the 1950s and 1960s ended the government-to-government relationship with more than 100 federally recognized tribes. The result was disastrous for those tribes due to discontinued federal support, loss of land held in trust, and loss of tribal identity. Most of the tribes terminated during this time were able to re-establish federal recognition through the congressional process in the 1980s and 1990s.
The federal "relocation policy" in the 1950s and 1960s sought to move American Indian families to urban areas, promising jobs, housing, and a “new life.” Those that struggled and stayed formed the core of the growing urban Indian populations. Ultimately, many families returned home to their reservations or home communities. Today, many families and individuals travel between their home community and urban communities for periods of time to pursue education and job opportunities.
Churches and missionaries have a long history of converting American Indian people to their religions, and in the process, often label traditional cultural practices – such as songs, dances, dress, and artwork – as "evil.” Today, there is a diverse mix of Christian beliefs and traditional spirituality within each American Indian community.
Tribal Governance
Tribal governments can create and enforce laws that are stricter or more lenient than state laws, but they are not subservient to state laws. State laws cannot be applied where they interfere with the right of a tribe to make its own laws protecting the health and welfare of its citizens, or where it would interfere with any federal interest. Criminal legal jurisdiction issues are very complex, depend on a variety of factors, and must be assessed based on the specific law as applied to a specific tribe. In general, federal law applies.
The Indian Self-Determination Act (Public Law 93-638) gives the authority to tribal governments to contract programs and services that are carried out by the federal government, such as services provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or Indian Health Services.
Regional and Cultural Differences
Prior to European contact, American Indian communities existed throughout North America. Federal policies led to voluntary and forced relocation from familiar territory to the current reservation system.
When the reservation system formed in the late 1800s, the U.S. government forced some bands and tribes to live together. In some instances, these groups could relate linguistically and culturally. In other cases, they may have been historical enemies.
On reservations where different American Indian groups were forced to co-exist, repercussions occurred that still can be experienced today in those communities. Historic rivalries, family or clan conflicts, and tribal politics may present challenges for an outsider unaware of local dynamics who is trying to interact with groups in the community.
While there is great diversity across and within tribes, there are within-region similarities based on adaptation to ecology, climate, and geography (including traditional foods), linguistic and cultural affiliations, and sharing of information for long periods of time.
Differences in cultural groups relate closely to regional differences and possibly distinguishable by their language or spiritual belief systems. They are also a result of the diversity of historic homelands across the nation and migration patterns of tribal groups.
Cultures developed by adaptation to their natural environment and the influence of trade and interaction with non-Indians and other American Indian groups.
Urban Indian communities exist in most major metropolitan areas. Members of a large number of different tribes and cultures represent these populations and have different degrees of traditional cultures and adaptations to Western culture norms. They form a sense of community through social interaction and activities, but are often “invisible,” geographically dispersed, and multiracial.
Spirituality
A strong respect for spirituality – whether traditional (prior to European contact), Christian (resulting from European contact), or a combination of both – is common among all American Indian communities and often contributes to a sense of group unity. Many American Indian communities have a strong church community and organized religion integrated within their culture.
American Indian cultures integrate traditional spirituality and practices into their day-to-day living. Traditional spirituality and organized religions are usually community-oriented, rather than individual-oriented.
Spirituality, worldview, and the meaning of life are very diverse concepts among regions, tribes, and individuals. Specific practices such as ceremonies, prayers, and religious protocols will vary among American Indian communities.
A blend of traditions, traditional spiritual practices, and mainstream faiths may coexist. It is best to inquire about an individual’s faith or beliefs instead of making assumptions, but be aware that many American Indian spiritual beliefs and practices are sacred and not shared publicly or with outsiders.
Until passage of the Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978, many traditional American Indian practices were illegal and kept secret.
Social/health problems and their solutions are often seen as spiritually based and as part of a holistic worldview of balance between mind, body, spirit, and the environment.
It is a common practice to open and close meetings with a prayer or short ceremony. Elders are often asked to offer such opening and closing words and given a small gift as a sign of respect for sharing this offering.
Communication Styles
Nonverbal MessagesAmerican Indian people communicate a great deal through nonverbal gestures. Careful observation is necessary to avoid misinterpretation of nonverbal behavior.
American Indian people may look down to show respect or deference to elders, or ignore an individual to show disagreement or displeasure.
A gentle handshake is often seen as a sign of respect, not weakness.
HumorAmerican Indian people may convey truths or difficult messages through humor and might cover great pain with smiles or jokes. It is important to listen closely to humor, as it may seem invasive to ask for too much direct clarification about sensitive topics.
It is a common conception that laughter is good medicine and is a way to cope. The use of humor and teasing to show affection or offer corrective advice is also common.
Indirect CommunicationAmerican Indians often consider it unacceptable to criticize another person directly. This is important to understand, especially when asking children and youth to speak out or testify against another person. American Indians consider it disloyal or disrespectful to speak negatively about another person.
There is a common belief that people who have acted wrongly will pay for their acts in one way or another, although the method may not be through the legal system.
StorytellingGetting messages across through telling a story (traditional teachings and personal stories) is very common and sometimes in contrast with the “get to the point” frame of mind in non-American Indian society.
* Information presented on Indian Cultures: Diversity, Tribal Sovereignty and Historic Perspective, are attributable to "CultureCard" A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness, American Indian and Alaska Native produced by SAMSHA. This pubication may be downloaded or ordered at WWW.SAMSHA.Gov/SHIN.
