American Indians and Alaskan Native Families
The issues impacting American Indians/ Alaskan Native families How is this issue holding them back Recommendations for meeting their needs
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American Indians and Alaskan Native Families The issues impacting American Indians/ Alaskan Native families 1. 2. 3. 4. How is this issue holding them back Recommendations for meeting their needs
Purchase answer to see full attachment. Complete the table showing the needs of American Indians and Alaskan Native families aligned with the recommendations provided in the readings. Discuss at least four issues and you must include references.
Here are four issues impacting American Indians/Alaskan Native families, along with how these issues hold them back and recommendations for meeting their needs.
Issue 1: High poverty rates
According to the National Congress of American Indians, American Indians/Alaskan Natives are the most impoverished racial or ethnic group in the United States. Poverty rates are particularly high on reservations, where lack of access to education and employment opportunities, as well as limited infrastructure and resources, contribute to economic hardship.
How this issue holds them back: High poverty rates can negatively impact health outcomes, educational attainment, and overall quality of life for American Indians/Alaskan Natives and their families.
Recommendations for meeting their needs: Efforts to reduce poverty among American Indians/Alaskan Natives could include investment in education and job training programs, expansion of economic development opportunities, and increased access to healthcare services. The National Congress of American Indians recommends that policymakers work with tribes to develop solutions that are culturally appropriate and take into account the unique needs and challenges of different tribal communities.
Issue 2: High rates of domestic violence and sexual assault
American Indian/Alaskan Native women are more likely to experience domestic violence and sexual assault than any other group in the United States. According to the National Institute of Justice, over 84% of American Indian/Alaskan Native women experience violence in their lifetimes.
How this issue holds them back: Domestic violence and sexual assault can have serious physical, emotional, and psychological impacts on victims and their families, and can contribute to cycles of trauma and poverty.
Recommendations for meeting their needs: To address high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, advocates recommend culturally appropriate prevention and response strategies that take into account the unique legal and jurisdictional issues faced by tribes. These might include increased funding for tribal law enforcement, expansion of tribal court systems, and development of specialized victim services that are culturally sensitive and trauma-informed.
Issue 3: Limited access to healthcare
American Indians/Alaskan Natives experience higher rates of certain health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, than the general population. Limited access to healthcare services, particularly on reservations and in rural areas, can exacerbate these health disparities.
How this issue holds them back: Lack of access to healthcare can lead to untreated health conditions, lower life expectancy, and reduced quality of life for American Indians/Alaskan Natives and their families.
Recommendations for meeting their needs: To improve healthcare access for American Indians/Alaskan Natives, advocates recommend increased investment in tribal health systems and expansion of telehealth and other remote healthcare services. Policies that respect tribal sovereignty and honor treaty obligations can also help to ensure that American Indians/Alaskan Natives have access to the healthcare services they need.
Issue 4: Cultural erasure and loss
The forced assimilation policies of the federal government in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the boarding school system and the Indian Child Welfare Act, have contributed to the erasure and loss of traditional American Indian/Alaskan Native cultures and languages.
How this issue holds them back: Cultural erasure can have significant impacts on the mental health and well-being of American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and can contribute to a loss of community cohesion and identity.
Recommendations for meeting their needs: To address cultural erasure and loss, advocates recommend efforts to preserve and revitalize American Indian/Alaskan Native languages, cultures, and traditions. These might include increased funding for language and cultural programs, support for community-based cultural revitalization efforts, and efforts to ensure that American Indian/Alaskan Native histories and perspectives are incorporated into educational curricula and public discourse.
References:
National Congress of American Indians. (2021). Poverty on Indian reservations. https://www
