Hawk Littlejohn, 1941–2000 I had the privilege of working with Hawk Littlejohn, a traditional medicine man, in 1979 at the Boston (Massachusetts) Indian Council. Thomas Crowe wrote in his obituary that Hawk Littlejohn “embraced tradition in the modern world. He was a native of Western North Carolina and a member of the Eastern Band of […]
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Such events as going into a trance can be ascribed to the work of witches. The way to cure a “witched” person is through the use of complicated prayer ceremonies that are attended by friends and relatives, who lend help and express sympathy. The victim of a witch is in no way responsible for being
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Navajos recognize the usefulness of blaming witches for ILLNESS and misfortune. Tales abound concerning witchcraft and how the witches work. Not all Navajos believe in witchcraft but, for those who do, it provides a mechanism for laying blame for the overwhelming hardships and anxieties of life. Place Your Order Here!
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Traditional Methods of HEALING Traditional HEALERS The traditional HEALER of Native America is the medicine man or woman, and American Indians, by and large, have maintained their faith in him or her over the ages. The medicine men and women are wise in the ways of the land and of nature. They know well the
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HEALTH and ILLNESS in the American Indian and Alaska Native Population ■ 215 cover their bodies with red ochre. Members of the Navajo nation believe that “witchcraft exists and that certain humans, known as witches, are able to inter- act with the evil spirits. These people can bring sickness and other unhappiness to the people
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The Hopi Indians associate ILLNESS with evil spirits. The evil spirit re- sponsible for an ILLNESS is identified by the medicine man, and the remedy for the malady resides in the treatment of the evil spirit (Leek, 1975, p. 16). According to legend, the Navajo people originally emerged from the depths of the Earth—fully formed
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HEALTH, Indians must maintain their relationship with nature. “Mother Earth” is the friend of the American Indian, and the land belongs to the American Indian (Boyd, 1974). According to American Indian belief, as explained by a medicine man, Rolling Thunder, the human body is divided into 2 halves, which are seen as plus and minus
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Discuss the background of the American Indian and Alaska Native population. American Indian and Alaska Native Population To “make medicine” is to engage upon a special period of fasting, thanksgiving, prayer, and self denial, even self-torture. —Wooden Leg (late 19th century) Cheyenne ■ Objectives 1. Discuss the background of the American Indian and Alaska Native
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What are the traditional definitions of HEALTH and ILLNESS in each of the communities? The questions that follow should be thoughtfully considered: 1. What are the traditional definitions of HEALTH and ILLNESS in each of the communities? Are they alike or different? 2. What are the traditional methods of maintaining HEALTH? 3. What are the
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The following exercises are inherent in Chapter 14 and are appropriate to all chapters in Unit III: 1. Familiarize yourself with some literature of the given community—that is, read literature, poetry, or a biography of a member of each of the communities. 2. Familiarize yourself with the history and sociopolitical background of each of the