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Abstract: Native American culturally-originated theories, particularly those that are available to guide research conducted within Native American populations, are limited. Native-Reliance has emerged as a culturally derived theoretical framework, model, and questionnaire, and has been found to be useful in several studies that guide and measure how culture influences the health equity and well-being of Native Americans. This article reports on the development of the Native-Reliance theory along with results from a recent study that examined the impact of Native-Reliance in relation to substance use among Native American adolescents.
Key Words: Native American, American Indian, Native-Reliance, Culture, Theory, Substance Use, Research
introduction
ative Americans have a rich culture, based on worldviews with values, beliefs, and practices often expressed in language and ceremony. There is no one, definite worldview for Native Americans, but many Native Americans from a variety of tribal backgrounds share similar values, beliefs, and practices. Although Native American cultures have struggled to survive, they remain vibrant and resilient. Today, many Native Americans in the United States (US) are reviving their traditions and cultures. Central to this cultural renaissance is the importance of their worldviews, values, beliefs, and practices (Chino & DeBruyn, 2006). As an example, many Native American communities have created language learning programs to convey dialect traditions to future generations. Traditional ceremonies, which were at risk of disappearing, have returned to regular practice and have become the center of inter-tribal gatherings. In many Native American communities, a new generation is being taught to live with dignity, character, and pride (Bassett, Tsosie, & Nannauck, 2012).
Currently, there are few culturally appropriate theoretical frameworks available to guide research being conducted among Native American populations. Mainstream theoretical frameworks and models often have limited relevance to research or practice with Native American populations. Additionally, there are very few instruments that measure unique components of Native American culture, thus limiting the understanding of cultural factors influencing the health and well being of Native American populations.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIVE RELIANCE THEORY
The Native-Reliance theoretical framework, model, and questionnaire emerged in response to limited available Native American theoretical frameworks. The concept of Native-Reliance was first studied among Keetoowah-Cherokees in Oklahoma, and became known as the Keetoowah-Cherokee Self-Reliance Model. Additionally, a Self-Reliance instrument was developed to assess self-reliance...