A Dictionary of Patients' Spiritual & Cultural Values for Health Care ...

Native American Spirituality*No founder; tradition has evolved over centuries, passed down by storytelling*More than 2 million people in 300-500 different American Indian tribal groups,each with its own culture and responses to specific situationsBeliefsDaily practicesDying and deathFacilitatingpracticesFoodHealthHoly days andfestivalsPregnancy andbirthRituals/ceremoniesCreator - some tribes use ‚God‛ and ‚Creator‛ interchangeablyFundamental inter-connectedness of all natural things, all forms of life, withthe land, or Mother Earth, are of primary importanceBasic sense of community or group/tribePrayers, may include using sacred objects, usually private and withoutstrangers presentBeliefs and practices vary widely from tribe to tribeBody is sometimes prepared for burial by family or tribe membersAfter person dies, some tribes will not touch deceased person’s clothes orbelongingsProvide time, space, privacy and include tribal spiritual leaderDo not pretend to be familiar with traditions and do not interfere with themAfter ceremony or prayer, foods consumed will likely be provided by familyHealth care practices intertwined with religious and cultural beliefsMay believe that Ill health results from not living in harmony or being out ofbalance with nature and social and supernatural environmentsClosely related to seasonal changes, the moon, provision of food and otherlife essentialsPregnant women included in religious ceremonies until deliveryPerformed with intent of seeing, understanding, or obtaining a vision ofclarity of oneself and individual issues in order to relate to oneself andothersPrayer accompanied by burning of sacred plants, i.e. sweet grass, sage,cedar or tobaccoSpiritualinstrumentsNo written scriptures; ceremonies and beliefs learned by word of mouth andexperienceSacred and should not be touched without permission, especially bystrangerMedicine bag: leather pouch usually worn around neck. Do not open orquestion.Religious articles carried by elders must not be touched by anyone otherthan the elder; if inspection is required, an elder should be invited to provideinspection services32