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 1 Native Cultural Diversity

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

There are over 560 federally recognized tribes in the United States.1 There are at least 50 tribes recognized on the state level and even more tribes seeking federal or state recognition.2 According to Census 2000, 2.5 million people classify themselves as exclusively American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), while 4.1 million classify themselves as at least partially AI/AN.3 Another 476,000 classify themselves as at least partially Native Hawaiian (NH).4 The majority of Native people (over 50%) now live in urban areas, where family groups may also be mixed along tribal lines and cultures.5 All of these Native populations are very diverse.

In order to provide effective health services to your community, you should think about culture on a local level.

  • Study the colonization history of your community. What kind of intergenerational trauma has your community experienced as a result of violence?

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  • Identify your community’s unique rituals, language, and social structure.

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  • Consider the cultural differences between smaller groups within your community: between rural and urban Native members, men, women, youth, Two-Spirits, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peoples.

1 US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Indian entities recognized and eligible to receive services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Federal Register 2003;68(234):68179-68184.

2 Manataka American Indian Council. Tribes and Nations. Available at: http://www.manataka.org/page100.html. Accessed February 14, 2007.

3 Ogunwole S. The American Indian and Alaskan Native Population: 2000. United States Census Bureau; 2002:1-12.

4 Grieco EM. The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2000. United States Census Bureau; 2001:1-12.

5 National Council of Urban Indian Health. The NCUIH page. Available at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/Urban/ncuih. Accessed February 14, 2007.