Grief Programs Native Americans and Death - 1722 Words

Grief Programs: Native Americans and Death Lisa Shewmaker University of the Rockies Abstract This paper will look at existing organizations and programs that provide parent home visits for infant and child loss in culturally diverse populated areas in the United States. These programs generally do not encompass grief recovery for the Native American community. As social workers and providers of these services, it is important to understand this cultural group, know their rituals and beliefs surrounding death and the burial of their dead, and to be open to changes that might be needed within their programs to address the needs of the Native American community. This paper will address the Native American beliefs on death, their rituals†¦show more content†¦Some professionals may mistakenly view the silence, use of metaphors, and indirectness as resistance or lack of understanding (Sutton amp; Nose, 1996, p. 32). Native Americans may avoid direct or sustained eye contact and may not demonstrate affect, even during a crisis. Thus, effective communication becomes the ver y foundation from which the relationship between the worker and client progresses (Sutton amp; Nose, 1996). Across cultures, common experiences after a child’s death such as disconnectedness from friends and family, abandonment of faith, isolation, and guilt can create multiple dilemmas for families. Shaking their belief in the order of the world, this type of traumatic loss often fosters a sense of total helplessness. Spirituality can play an important role, across cultures, in helping families to heal and discover meaning after a child’s death. In many Native American tribes, soul-searching, meditation, and ancestor prayer may play a role in providing an altered state of consciousness that is necessary for some to discover meaning in the loss. The social worker can do the following to encourage and facilitate an open dialogue that enables, empowers, and engages Native American families: * Ask permission to act. * Ask about their rites and rituals, culture, religion, and belief system. Caregivers can humbly admit their own lack of knowledge, becoming willing students andSho w MoreRelatedUnderstanding The Lakota Sioux Tribe1542 Words   |  7 PagesUnderstanding the Lakota Sioux I have chosen to conduct research and develop my project around the Native American group, the Lakota Sioux. In particular, my focus will be on the role trauma plays in their culture. I chose The Lakota Sioux because of the fact that they are from the area and surrounding area of where I live and I have always had an interest in Native Americans. 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