Native Americans are always struggling with identification with their tribes traditions compared to Euro-American traditions. Counselors need to recognize that many Native Americans feel uncomfortable when talking about things outside of their context.
Rather than interpret behaviors of the Native Americans counselors understand what greatly impacts American Indians in social issues. Native Americans are greatly impacted with Major Health Issues, Employment Issues, Economic Issues, and Family Dynamics. American Indian Multicultural Counseling Human behavior is explained by the definition of culture. Each individual has a cultural group of values. Ethnocentrism is what makes up the American Euro-American culture. The Americans take pride in thinking their culture is superior to other cultures. Because so many think the American culture is superior we tend to forget, ignore, and discriminate those cultures like American Indian culture that is subordinate.
American Indian Background. When working with Native Americans a counselor must understand and remember that their culture and history is very deep with the dominant white culture. The Native Americans have dealt with dishonesty, oppressive, and manipulative messages since white settlers came to this country. The Native Americans continue to experience racism and discriminations. Long before the pilgrims and pioneers landed in American there were the Native Americans with their culture. The Native Americans were viewed as Red Man with a Spear. Without the aid of Native Americans the settlers would have not survived because they knew very little about the land. While the new colonization began in American the Native Americans began contracting crippling diseases and horrible prejudice.
Bryan (2007) stated that, “A large percentage of the decreased in population can be attributed to the European introduction of diseases such as diphtheria, smallpox, measles, chickenpox, influenza, scarlet
References: Bouchard, Jen (Nov. 9, 2009). Native American Education and Employment. Retrieved from: http://suite101.com/article/native-american-education-and-employment-a167592 Bryan, Willie V. ED.D. (2007). Multicultural Aspects of Disabilities: A guide to understand and assisting minorities in the rehabilitation process. Carteret, Maricia M. ED. ( ) Dimensions of Culture. Cross-cultural communications for healthcare professionals, Culture and Family dynamic. Retrieved from: http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/11/culture-and-family-dynamics/ The Hub (September 11, 2010) Americans during the 19th Century. Retrieved from: http://massivedynamic.hubpages.com/hub/Native-Americans-During-The-19th-Century Vance, P. R. (1995). Career Counseling with Native Clients: Understanding the Context. Greensboro NC: Eric Clearinghouse on Counseling and Services (ERIC Document Reproduction Services No. ED 399 585)