Running head: FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE

Cultural Immersion Experience: First Nations People Catrina Ravenel Georgia State University

FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE INTRODUCTION A few weeks ago, I attended my third cultural immersion experience at Stone Mountain Park where I was able to experience the culture of the First Nations People. This experience awakened me to the importance of taking time out to learn about diverse cultures. I believe the more people learn about other cultures, the more likely they are to be considered and respectful toward others. PRIOR TO THE ACTIVITY

My current view on First Nations People was that they were wronged as a people. I never believed that one group of people had the right to massacre another group of people. When I was younger and observed television where the Indians were savages and the White man deserved the right to take their land. Well, I never bought in to that idea. The television is a medium used to inform, entertain, and deceive. Those television shows did not succeed in deceiving me that White people were justified in annihilating First Nations People. The media continues to portray the First Nations People as unlearned and uneducated. I have always been sympathetic to this group. I have read reports that indicated many First Nations people suffer from high incidences of alcoholism and child abuse. I would have no problems working with people from the First Nation Community. As a people, they have a myriad of social and emotional issues to contend with. I am consistently learning specialized skills and techniques that will help me professionally communicate and understand the needs of the various tribal communities of First Nations People. I do not know personally anyone from this community. THE CULTURAL IMMERSION EXPERIENCE When I first got to the event, various tribes were performing their individual Nations dances. This was the first time that I had an opportunity to witness in person the various tribes as they were dressed in traditional garments. I could tell the garments, shoes, and feather arrangements were authentic First Nations cultural wear. I walked around and perused the various vendor tables. I saw items for sale that I have never seen before. Some vendors were selling coyote faces, wooden flutes, jewelry, etc. Teepees were set up throughout the park. I had a chance to walk inside of a real teepee. AFTER THE CULTURAL ACTIVITY I was glad that I attended the event. The next time, I will certainly take my children. I want them to be aware of people from diverse cultures. I want to take a proactive approach to my childrens education. I am not for sure of the textbook teachings that my children are studying in school, but I certainly want my children to be well rounded in their understanding about other people and their culture. It made me feel good that the First Nations People with all their challenges desire for other people to learn about their culture. The information that I have ascertained regarding First Nations People, I have read over a span of time. This event has reinforced me to want to learn about the First Nations People. Next time, I would like to travel to the states and cities where First Nations people and their families live. In order to work with someone from this group I would utilize the art of listening. Oftentimes, people just need someone to talk to. This is where the open dialogue would begin. I would conceptualize from their perspective what I needed to know about them and go from there.

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Dorgan, B. L. (2010). The tragedy of Native American youth suicide. Psychological Services, 7(3), 213-218.doi:10.1037/a0020461 Mignon, S. I., & Holmes, W. M. (2013). Substance abuse and mental health issues within Native American grand parenting families. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse12 (3), 210227. doi:10.1080/15332640.2013.798751