The Health Effects of a Cherokee Grounded Culture and Leadership Program

Melissa E. Lewis, Jamie Smith, Sky Wildcat, Amber Anderson and Melissa L. Walls
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Melissa E. Lewis: Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
Jamie Smith: Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
Sky Wildcat: Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources, & Communication Disorders, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Amber Anderson: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Melissa L. Walls: Center for American Indian Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Duluth, MN 55812, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Introduction: Indigenous youth and young adults endure some of the highest rates of physical and mental health problems in the United States compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Colonization, oppression, and discrimination play a substantial role in these inequitable disease rates. However, culture (e.g., identity, participation, and connection) relates to the prevention of and recovery from illness in Indigenous populations. The Remember the Removal program aims to teach Indigenous youth and young adults tribally specific culture, history, and language to put them on a trajectory to become informed and culturally connected community leaders. We examined the program’s effects on health. Method: Thirty Remember the Removal program participants, mainly young adults, completed surveys four times: before the program’s start, at the end of the training period, at the program’s end, and at a six-month follow-up. Various indicators of physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural health and well-being were measured at each time period. Paired t -tests were completed to compare baseline scores to each subsequent time interval. Results: At program completion, and as indicated with an asterisk at the six month follow-up, participants had statistically significantly improved diet and exercise measures (e.g., reduced sugary, salty, and fatty foods, reduced soda consumption, increased fruit consumption, and improved self-efficacy for exercise), improved mental health indicators (e.g., reduced stress, anxiety, depression*, anger*, post-traumatic stress disorder, and microaggressions*, and improved positive mental health) and improved social and cultural connection (e.g., social support, Cherokee identity*, Cherokee values). Discussion: This is one of the first quantitative studies to demonstrate the profound effects that cultural learning and connection have on the health and well-being of Indigenous people and practices. It also demonstrates the specificity and effectiveness of a program created by and for tribal citizens. Future programs with Indigenous populations should work to center cultural connection and ensure that programs are created and directed by tribal community members.

Keywords: Indigenous youth; culture as prevention; Indigenous mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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