Document Type
Article
Abstract
Purpose This report presents results of a two-day Traditional Cultural Advocacy Program (TCAP) Roundtable Conference. The purpose of the TCAP Roundtable was to develop a consensus of the IHS roles and responsibilities in addressing traditional cultural beliefs, values, and practices; and to discuss and identify issues on holistic beliefs in health care as it relates to traditional culture. Methods This report includes consensus statements, highlights from the conference discussions, a list of participants, and the conference agenda. The following were four main objectives identified to be accomplished by the TCAP Roundtable: 1) identify roles and responsibilities of the IHS, tribes, and individuals for addressing traditional cultural beliefs, values, and practices; 2) identify the specific types of policy currently needed by the IHS and recommended content where appropriate; 3) identify holistic beliefs that are generally viewed as those commonly held by the AI/AN throughout the U.S.; and 4) discuss the need, purpose, and objectives of a national conference. Results Consensus statements are provided in the following areas: 1) roles and responsibilities for fostering, supporting and nurturing AI/AN cultural values, beliefs, and traditional health practices into the health care systems for the AI/AN; 2) IHS policy is needed for fostering, supporting, and advocating AI/AN cultural values, beliefs, and traditional healing practices into the health care systems for the AI/AN; 3) approaches to achieve a cooperative spirit between traditional beliefs and healing practices with western medical methods; 4) common traditional values and beliefs among the AI/AN; and 5) research on treatment outcomes of alternative medicine practices. Conclusion This Roundtable Conference may be a catalyst for developing new approaches for building peer relationships among allopathic or "western" medical health care providers and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) traditional practitioners/healers. The momentum begun by this Roundtable discussion should continue through the encouragement and support of open dialogue between the IHS and tribal health staff and traditional practitioners and healers.
Publication Date
1993
Publisher
Indian Health Service, Staff Office of Planning, Evaluation and Research, Rockville, MD 20857 (RT-13).
Recommended Citation
Traditional cultural advocacy program. Indian Health Service, Staff Office of Planning, Evaluation and Research, Rockville, MD 20857 (RT-13). 1993
