Native Americans Social Issues
Micro: Individual
Suicide Rates
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/2/8/27282603/3933472.jpg?423)
~ Avis Little Wing
~ Young Native Americans are taking their own lives more than three times the national average and up to 10 times on some reservations.
~ Why?
~ What are the statistics?
~ Byron Dorgan: Founded the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute.
~ Forced acculturation/ assimilation
~ Young Native Americans are taking their own lives more than three times the national average and up to 10 times on some reservations.
~ Why?
~ What are the statistics?
~ Byron Dorgan: Founded the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute.
~ Forced acculturation/ assimilation
Health
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/2/8/27282603/8685474_orig.jpg)
~ Most rely on the Indian Health Service (IHS) for medical care, it's a federally funded program.
~ Only 60% of their needs are met
~ Pressures shift from traditional ways towards Western lifestyle dramatically impacted their health and wellness.
~ Only 60% of their needs are met
~ Pressures shift from traditional ways towards Western lifestyle dramatically impacted their health and wellness.
Housing
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/2/8/27282603/9283915.jpg?1428499637)
~ 90,000 people are homeless
~ Overcrowding is big issue
~ Tribal housing may take up to 3 years or more.
~ Most live without running water, telephones, and electricity.
~ Overcrowding is big issue
~ Tribal housing may take up to 3 years or more.
~ Most live without running water, telephones, and electricity.
Alcoholism:
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/2/8/27282603/1422478843.png?250)
~ Historically the use of alcohol has been
used as a tool of oppression.
~ It has also been used as a way to cheat
indigenous people of their land and
other natural resources.
~ Alcohol has had a devastating effect on Native communities and like other communities it has been linked to other social problems such as violence, suicide, and sexual abuse.
used as a tool of oppression.
~ It has also been used as a way to cheat
indigenous people of their land and
other natural resources.
~ Alcohol has had a devastating effect on Native communities and like other communities it has been linked to other social problems such as violence, suicide, and sexual abuse.
Mezzo: Families/Groups
Bring Native Children Home:
~ Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) has existed for almost a quarter of a century and is a federal law that Social Workers must follow regardless of where they practice.
~ Many Social Workers are ignorant of ICWA of 1978 requirements/ may not have heard of the law all together.
~ The law was passed in response to the large number of Native American children who were being displaced from their families and communities and were being raised outside of their native tribes, through foster care or adoption.
~ Under ICWA of 1978 a social worker who does not work for a Native nation may not have jurisdiction to work with a Native child who is being taken into foster care or placed for adoption.
~ Under ICWA of 1978 the best interest for the child is defined as cultural continuity
~ Many Social Workers are ignorant of ICWA of 1978 requirements/ may not have heard of the law all together.
~ The law was passed in response to the large number of Native American children who were being displaced from their families and communities and were being raised outside of their native tribes, through foster care or adoption.
~ Under ICWA of 1978 a social worker who does not work for a Native nation may not have jurisdiction to work with a Native child who is being taken into foster care or placed for adoption.
~ Under ICWA of 1978 the best interest for the child is defined as cultural continuity
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/2/8/27282603/2693677_orig.png)
Story of Baby Veronica:
In 2013 the South Carolina Supreme Court granted adoption of Veronica Brown of Cherokee Nation to a non-native family. The Supreme Court ruled that because Veronica's father did not have custody of her before she was placed with the adoptive couple, he does not have parental preference under ICWA.
When this decision was made a new precedent has been set to weaken protections designed to preserve the sovereignty of Native American nations.
In 2013 the South Carolina Supreme Court granted adoption of Veronica Brown of Cherokee Nation to a non-native family. The Supreme Court ruled that because Veronica's father did not have custody of her before she was placed with the adoptive couple, he does not have parental preference under ICWA.
When this decision was made a new precedent has been set to weaken protections designed to preserve the sovereignty of Native American nations.
Macro; Political & System Based Issues
Political: tribal sovereignty and federal recognition
System Based Issues : poverty, infant mortality, unemployment, high school completion, ability to pass on cultural and religious beliefs, and discrimination.
Washington Red Skins and Facebook
System Based Issues : poverty, infant mortality, unemployment, high school completion, ability to pass on cultural and religious beliefs, and discrimination.
Washington Red Skins and Facebook