1. Diversity Project Lashawna Moyle
Native American Culture: Medewakaton (also spelled Mdewakanton)
Human behavior and the social environment
Lashawna Moyle

2. Why the Native American Culture?
I chose this group because I lack an understanding regarding their culture, traditions, values, beliefs, etc. As I recognize my own lack of understanding, the training and education that I have received, suggests that there are many individuals within society mirroring my misconceptions and fear.
Ethnocentrism is “characterized or based on the belief that one’s own group is superior.”
Zastrow, 2016, p. 255
I also have vivid and positive memories of traditional Pow Wow dances that were performed for the students when I was in elementary school.

3. History of Native American Oppression and the United States
Manifest destiny
sovereignty
“A popular slogan of the 1840s. It was used by people who believed that the United States was destined — by God, some said — to expand across North America to the Pacific Ocean. The idea of manifest destiny was used to justify the acquisition of Oregon and large parts of the Southwest, including California.”
Dictionary.com, 2005
“The power of a state to do everything necessary to govern itself, such as making, executing, and applying laws; imposing and collecting taxes; making war and peace; and forming treaties engaging with foreign nations.”
thefreedictionary.com, 2016

4. History of Native American Oppression and the United States
Genocide is defined by the United Nations as "any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part 1; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group" (1948).
There are many who regard the Native American culture as suffering the “largest genocide of the 20th century.”
White Bison, Inc. 2011
By 1920, 99% of all Native Americans were wiped out.”
White Bison, Inc., 2011

5. Mdewakanton Tribe
The Native American culture is divided into many separate entities, or tribes. Utilizing the micro, mezzo, and macro method proves to be helpful in recognizing these divisions. The Sioux Nation is at the macro level. Santee (“knife lake”) and Dakota (“allies or friends”), is at the mezzo level and Mdewakanton is at the micro level.
Santeedakota.org, 2016, p.1
Mdewakanton literally means “mystery lake village,” some believe that the Mdewakanton Tribe was the foundation from which the Wahpekute, Sisseton, and Wahpeton Tribes were built from.
Partridge, 2016

6. History of Oppression Specific to the Mdewakanton Tribe and the United States
“38 Santee were mass executed in Mankato, Minnesota, in December of This was the largest mass execution in the history of the United States.” These thirty eight tribe members were hanged all together in one location, as many others stood by and watched.
Santeedakota.org, 2016, p.1

7. Historical Loss
“A type of intergenerational trauma that includes experiencing the loss of land, language, traditional spiritual ways, and other culturally significant events that are part of the cognitive process, and where perceptions of these losses are linked with psychological symptoms.”
Anastario, FourStar, Rink, 2013, p. 1).
Historical Loss is the result of consistent oppression.

8. Continued and Current Oppression of Native Americans
Pine Ridge, South Dakota and White Clay, Nebraska
White Clay was basically established as a means of making alcohol available to those on the Pine Ridge (“dry”) Reservation.
Population between 28,000-35,000 residents
White Clay has a total of 14 residents
Residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation walk only 200 yards to White Clay to purchase alcohol from any of the 4 convenient stores located there.

9. At a Glance Pine Ridge Statistics: 85-95% Unemployment Rate
80% Alcoholism Rate
300% Higher Rate of Infant Mortality
200% Higher Rate of Suicide
$2,600-$3,500: Median Yearly Household Income
1 in 4 children are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Nora Boesem, November 22, 2016
Statistics likened to, or worse than those of Pine Ridge, can only be found in Haiti. **Update: Those currently selling alcohol in White Clay will have to apply for a liquor license at the beginning of the year using the long form application. They will have to proved that they are meeting state requirements, such as providing adequate law enforcement. This is a small, victory, as the sellers have only applied for licensure 1 other time.**

10. Continued and Current Oppression of Native Americans
Those supporting the DAPL claim “that the pipeline will enable domestically produced light sweet crude oil from North Dakota to reach major refining markets in a more direct, cost effective, safer, and environmentally responsible manner” (Dakota Access Pipeline, 2015). The pipeline also promises to dramatically decrease the transport of oil via truck and train. It has been projected that it will create between eight and twelve thousand jobs and bring in $156 million in sales and taxes and this is just during the construction stage.
This pipeline would be around eleven hundred miles long and would stretch from oil fields in North Dakota to a river harbor in Illinois. It is being alleged that the area of land in North Dakota plotted for construction would “pass through and likely destroy Native burial sites and scared places” (Meyer, 2016). If the pipeline should leak or break “it could spill into the Missouri River, just upstream of the tribes major population center” (Meyer, 2016). And, as the Missouri River is the only source of water for the tribes, this poses the potential of many environmental problems. **Update: the project will not be approved for the current route at this time.**
The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and Standing Rock

11. Up Close and Personal: Interview with a Member of the Native American Culture
Sweet Grass (may also be used in ceremonies; generally burned)
Alcoholism and substance abuse is prevalent within the Native American culture. Chris describes early European trade and its participants as introducing alcohol, in the form of whiskey, to Native Americans. Chris also provided an explanation as to how the Native American culture has been effected by alcoholism. In fact, this is one of the best explanations that I have heard of to date: “Growth stops when you start drinking” (C. Denney, personal communication, November 17, 2016).
Chris also spoke of historical trauma and loss. He feels that Native Americans are losing respect for their culture and traditions. “Native Americans [older adults]…. Those aged 65 and above, are more traditional in their philosophy and values and have a deeper understanding of racism and oppression against Native people as a result of having a longer history of experience with these forces” (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 192).This coupled with the attempted extermination and consistent oppression of the Native Americans has left the culture ruins. Tribal language has fallen by the wayside and poverty is imbued into the culture.
His message to social workers is to practice empathy, not only when working with the Native American population, but any population. He would ask that we remember that those belonging to the Native American culture are private individuals and that trust is very important to them. But, is hard to earn; especially when we are acting like we know it all. “Snobby” is the term that he used. These individuals can sense it immediately. Their radar goes up instantly when dealing with the system. Maintaining respect while in one’s home and accepting food when offered may help to start building a trusting relationship.
Chris also emphasized the importance of being relatable to others. He states that meeting individuals at their level makes a world of difference. He suggests that when we find ourselves in unknown territory, which we all will at some point, to research the topic and/or population thoroughly. Chris also states that rehearsing a “poker face” is important to practicing professionally as well. He leaves me with one final phrase of advice: “Be prepared for the unprepared” (C. Denney, personal communication, November 17, 2016). This statement sums up the social work experience. But, it also reminds us that we do not and cannot know it all. It reminds us that ‘a work in progress’ not only applies to our clients, but us as well.
Traditional Style Feather (used to perform prayer and healing/cleansing ceremonies)
Sage (also used in cleansing rituals, generally burned)

12. Up Close and Personal: Interview with a Member of the Native American Culture
Beadwork.

13. A Positive Light: 14th Annual Memorial March to Honor Lost Children
Native Americans and non native individuals came together to honor children lost in foster care for this event. And though the reason for the gathering was a sad one, the joining together of Sioux Citians, Briar Cliff students and representatives, and others brings a positive light to the possibility that we can all work together and support one another, regardless of demographics.

14. A Positive Light: 14th Annual Memorial March to Honor Lost Children Continued

15. A Positive Light: 14th Annual Memorial March to Honor Lost Children Continued

16. A Positive Light: 14th Annual Memorial March to Honor Lost Children Continued
The separation of favorite foods and tobacco. The children lost can take this with them. The release of balloons: “Come home and get well.”

17. References
Anastario, M. P., Fourstar, K., & Rink, E. (2013). Sexual risk behavior and symptoms of historical loss in american indian men. Journal of Community Health, 38(5), doi:
"Dictionary.com - The World's Favorite Online Dictionary!" Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2016, from
Google Images. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from
Mdewakanton Sioux Tribe - Access Genealogy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2016, from
Santee History II. (n. d.). Retrieved October 01, 2016, from
White Bison, Inc. (2011, February). The Wellbriety journey to forgiveness [Video file]. Retrieved from
Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. (2016). Empowerment Series: Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th Ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning, Inc.