Obviously, this chapter goes through all the various health problems that American Indians encounter. The book states that most of them are preventable and are the result of dependencies. Primarily, it talks about the infamous and destructive dependency: alcohol. They begin by saying, "The use of alcohol and the disease of chemical dependency contributed to abused in Indian-white relations and demeaning stereotypes." The truly pathetic thing is that, now more than ever, it's farther away from being defined as a stereotype in Minnesota and closer to being defined as reality. To review, a stereotype is when you're relating to all of the members of a selected group. If 95% of the Native American population is personally affected by drinking OR the aftermath of drinking, then that means only a meager 5% is holding up the borderline between the two.
In the book, they give all the various ways in which the communities and their treatment programs are improving the situation. I have two response questions for you (just in case you still need your secondary post grade points):
1. After reviewing the book, do you think that the current stereotype is a fair assessment of the Minnesota American Indian Population. Why or Why not?
2. What do you think would be the easiest or most efficient way to resolve the chemical dependency problem? What would the communities need to change or how much money would individual tribes have to receive?
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I, too, think the chemical dependency on reservations is high and very preventable. In answer to your question, unfortunately, I do think the stereotypes fit the American Indian Population. Because 95% of the population is affected by alcohol, the stereotype holds true. The government could grant more money for chemical dependency classes. Programs are already in place, but the extra money could go a long way with the effectiveness of the programs.
ReplyDelete- Jill Docter
I think it's reasonable for people to assume the worst given the statistics, so yes to some degree I'd say so.
ReplyDeleteI'd say setting up more programs and getting additional funding or perhaps using casino profits if that nation can afford to do so. Not an easy task and each nation will be different, on how many people are effected and what type of strategy would be needed.
-TJ Berger