Module 1: Native Cultures

Goal of Module 1: To provide a cultural background for your HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention program.

There are many layers of diversity within any culture. When learning about Native cultures, it is important to acknowledge the differences between various tribes, nations, villages, and islands. These differences can occur among groups within a single geographical region or across various regions. Although it is impossible to learn the unique characteristics of each Native entity, it is possible to recognize and better understand a specific group’s customs, norms, beliefs, and values in order to gain a distinct cultural perspective.
Contents 9 Nutrition

This module discusses the role of culture in HIV/AIDS prevention, intervention, and care.

It includes information on:

  1. Native Cultural Diversity


  2. Traditionalism


  3. Spiritual and Religious Beliefs


  4. Healing/Healthcare


  5. Worldview


  6. Social Structure


  7. Homelands


  8. Language


  9. Nutrition

While there is no known nutritional means of curing or preventing HIV infection, appropriate nutrition can help to hinder the advance of infection. For example, several researchers have found that certain nutrients can help slow disease progression. Good nutrition for people with AIDS can help minimize loss of body mass and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Vitamins and minerals play an important part in maintaining proper function of the immune system.

Colonization dramatically changed the diet and nutrition of Native peoples. Native people were dislocated from their traditional lands and prohibited from hunting and gathering. Their traditional food system was replaced by the government commodity food program, which consisted of refined white flour, potatoes, sugar, and processed cheeses. Native people began to depend on high fat, high sugar, and heavily processed foods. These, in turn, contributed to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and obesity.

As a response to the poor health and diet of many Native people today, communities have returned to traditional diets that include bison, a low fat and high-protein meat, salmon, roots, wild rice, and organic gardening. Many Native leaders and health professionals now realize that the health of Native people will continue to decline if they do not develop better nutrition. This is most important for slowing the progression of HIV to AIDS and for people with AIDS who must maintain a balanced diet for optimal health.

  • Study the general state of nutrition in your community. What staples make up your community’s diet now? What staples did your community traditionally consume?

CASE IN POINT:
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducts the Alaska Traditional Diet Project. The Project assists consumers of Alaskan traditional foods to make informed dietary decisions to prevent health problems. It incorporates both traditional and western scientific information.


Module 1: Conclusion

Culture is a powerful and necessary tool in creating a successful HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention program. In order to achieve optimal results, Native culture should be incorporated into all aspects of your prevention efforts. Academics, researchers, grassroots workers, funding agencies, tribes, states, and the federal government must achieve cultural competency in the communities with which they work.8,9 The best way to ensure effective prevention efforts is to have Native community members and organizations participate in all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention, intervention, care, and assessment.



8 Cross TL, Bazron BJ, Isaacs MR, Dennis KW. Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care. Washington DC: Georgetown University Center for Child Health and Mental Health Policy, CASSP Technical Assistance Center; 1989.

9 Isaacs M, Benjamin M. Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care, Volume II: Programs Which Utilize Culturally Competent Principles. Washington DC: George University Center for Child Health and Mental Health Policy, CASSP Technical Assistance Center; 1991.

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