Food and Culture, 7e

Kittler Sucher Nelms

Native Americans

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 Introduction
Native American is a term for the
indigenous people of the Americas
American Indians
Alaska Natives
Native American ethnic identity varies
tremendously
Retaining heritage to adopting majority culture
Native Americans foods in U.S. diets
Corn, squash, beans, cranberries, maple
syrup
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 Traditional Native American Foods

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 Native Food Circle: Choices for a
Healthy Lifestyle

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 Settlement Patterns
European diseases and massacre of
whole nations reduced numbers of
individuals and ethnic groups
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) established
a program of cultural assimilation
Failed to force Native Americans to accept
white values
Strengthened Native Americans religious
beliefs

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 Indian Reservations in the Continental
United States

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 Current Demographics
Many left the reservations for the
employment opportunities available during
World War II
Joined the armed services
Took war-related industry jobs
By 2000, two-thirds of all American Indians
and Alaska Natives resided in the farms,
towns, and urban areas outside of
reservations

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 Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic status of Native
Americans declined drastically with the
forced migrations of the nineteenth
century
Few native occupations valued in the job
market outside the reservations
Most Native Americans did not begin to find
employment until:
World War II and the development of the BIA
Employment Assistance Program
In 2012, overall poverty rate for Native
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 Worldview
Harmony best describes the Native
American approach to life
Balance among spiritual, social, and physical
needs
Religion
Traditional Native American religions share
one characteristic: the religion permeates all
aspects of life https://youtu.be/AUQAN-W8foI
Many Native American nations have rejected
all attempts at Christian conversion
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 Worldview (contd.)
Family
Primary social unit of Native Americans is the
extended family
Children valued highly; great respect for elders
Many Native American nations are matrilineal
Traditional health beliefs and practices
Health reflects a persons relationship to
nature family, community, and environment
Every illness is due to an imbalance with
supernatural, spiritual, or social implications
http://www.onetribetrading.com
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 Extended Family

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