Be Proud: Embrace It!

            Childrearing practices in the Native American culture extends from the parent to grandparents and even aunts and uncles. The children are taught stories, values, beliefs, traditions and their history from the elders. Within the Native American culture, the elders hold the most respect and authority. I believe the elders are viewed as the most wise, trustworthy and knowledgeable of the Native culture. An inspiring young man told me today that the elders hold the stories and traditions from the past. If our generation now does not learn these stories and traditions, history will be lost.

The family types and structures I have noticed are immediate and extended. As we now know, drug and alcohol abuse is not uncommon amongst the Native culture. In many cases, where substance abuse is present, the grandparents often take in their grandchildren and raise them. If there is no family to take in the children and if the children are native, the community will come together and care for them. This amazing support should inspire us all to lend a helping hand when people are in need.

The supports systems in the Native community is the community. They do not discriminate or have bias opinions on one another. I learned when times are tough they lean on each other for support and guidance to battle with the hardships they may be facing. A wise man once said, the most dangerous place to be is alone. Hardships are faced by both families and children; with these hardships and difficult times come resilience. The feeling of resilience and bouncing back, I have found, is much easier for children as they are considerably more forgiving than adults in hard times. 

The pictures listed below are from Kanvwodiyi. This is a beautiful rehab facility in the mountains. Today I had the opportunity to tour it and see the amazing features and cares offered.