Choctaw Culture Assignment
Kylee Carpenter, Danyelle Gray, Amy Russell and Christopher Willis
Carl Albert State College
December 3, 2015
Before the arrival of European ships, settlers and soldiers in the sixteenth century, the Choctaws flourished in southeastern North America, mainly in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. They were an ancient people who farmed, crafted, traded with neighbors near and far and built great ceremonial centers. The forces that brought together Native Americans and Europeans vary greatly, from land expeditions and missionary excursions to military conquests (Haag & Willis, 2001).
After much resistance to the European way of life many Choctaws were relocated to present-day Oklahoma. The Choctaws that …show more content…
Choctaw women bear their children with the help of a mid-wife, only on rare occasions is a doctor present. In a traditional Choctaw family, if able, the infant will be given a gift of significant value to ensure that the child will have economic security and physical well-being throughout its life (Haag & Willis, 2001). Traditional Choctaws may use a “Shaman” or “witch doctor” that other members of their family or tribe uses instead of going to an actual healthcare facility. This is most common in older generations of Choctaw individuals. Many Native American people have a general distrust for healthcare (Paniagua & Taylor, 2008). Traditionally, when a member of the tribe dies, a funeral is given and then over a period of weeks the family carries out thirteen cries for the dead. When this period is over a large funeral ceremony is held. Proceeding the ceremony a feast is held in the dead person’s honor and the dead person’s name is not spoken again (Haag & Willis, …show more content…
Native Americans are almost three times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic Caucasians of similar age (Keith & Doyle, 1998). The Choctaw people have the highest prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 within the Native American population. Additionally, Native Americans suffer higher rates of cancers of the colon and rectum compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians (Paniagua & Taylor, 2008). There are 500 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. and many smaller tribes that go unrecognized. Unfortunately, in many studies all of these tribes are lumped together and are called Native Americans instead of each tribe having autonomy. Each tribe has its own practices, beliefs and culture and when all tribes are put in one large group. It is clear that there is great diversity just within this population, which can and will lead to nurses having a difficult time distinguishing culturally acceptable practices when it comes to their Native American
Kylee Carpenter, Danyelle Gray, Amy Russell and Christopher Willis
Carl Albert State College
December 3, 2015
Before the arrival of European ships, settlers and soldiers in the sixteenth century, the Choctaws flourished in southeastern North America, mainly in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. They were an ancient people who farmed, crafted, traded with neighbors near and far and built great ceremonial centers. The forces that brought together Native Americans and Europeans vary greatly, from land expeditions and missionary excursions to military conquests (Haag & Willis, 2001).
After much resistance to the European way of life many Choctaws were relocated to present-day Oklahoma. The Choctaws that …show more content…
Choctaw women bear their children with the help of a mid-wife, only on rare occasions is a doctor present. In a traditional Choctaw family, if able, the infant will be given a gift of significant value to ensure that the child will have economic security and physical well-being throughout its life (Haag & Willis, 2001). Traditional Choctaws may use a “Shaman” or “witch doctor” that other members of their family or tribe uses instead of going to an actual healthcare facility. This is most common in older generations of Choctaw individuals. Many Native American people have a general distrust for healthcare (Paniagua & Taylor, 2008). Traditionally, when a member of the tribe dies, a funeral is given and then over a period of weeks the family carries out thirteen cries for the dead. When this period is over a large funeral ceremony is held. Proceeding the ceremony a feast is held in the dead person’s honor and the dead person’s name is not spoken again (Haag & Willis, …show more content…
Native Americans are almost three times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic Caucasians of similar age (Keith & Doyle, 1998). The Choctaw people have the highest prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 within the Native American population. Additionally, Native Americans suffer higher rates of cancers of the colon and rectum compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians (Paniagua & Taylor, 2008). There are 500 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. and many smaller tribes that go unrecognized. Unfortunately, in many studies all of these tribes are lumped together and are called Native Americans instead of each tribe having autonomy. Each tribe has its own practices, beliefs and culture and when all tribes are put in one large group. It is clear that there is great diversity just within this population, which can and will lead to nurses having a difficult time distinguishing culturally acceptable practices when it comes to their Native American