The Health Effects of a Cherokee Grounded Culture and Leadership Program

Abstract

Introduction: Indigenous youth and young adults endure some of the highest rates of physical and mental health problems in the United States compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Colonization, oppression, and discrimination play a substantial role in these inequitable disease rates. However, culture (e.g., identity, participation, and connection) relates to the prevention of and recovery from illness in Indigenous populations. The Remember the Removal program aims to teach Indigenous youth and young adults tribally specific culture, history, and language to put them on a trajectory to become informed and culturally connected community leaders. We examined the program’s effects on health. Method: Thirty Remember the Removal program participants, mainly young adults, completed surveys four times: before the program’s start, at the end of the training period, at the program’s end, and at a six-month follow-up. Various indicators of physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural health and well-being were measured at each time period. Paired t-tests were completed to compare baseline scores to each subsequent time interval. Results: At program completion, and as indicated with an asterisk at the six month follow-up, participants had statistically significantly improved diet and exercise measures (e.g., reduced sugary, salty, and fatty foods, reduced soda consumption, increased fruit consumption, and improved self-efficacy for exercise), improved mental health indicators (e.g., reduced stress, anxiety, depression*, anger*, post-traumatic stress disorder, and microaggressions*, and improved positive mental health) and improved social and cultural connection (e.g., social support, Cherokee identity*, Cherokee values). Discussion: This is one of the first quantitative studies to demonstrate the profound effects that cultural learning and connection have on the health and well-being of Indigenous people and practices. It also demonstrates the specificity and effectiveness of a program created by and for tribal citizens. Future programs with Indigenous populations should work to center cultural connection and ensure that programs are created and directed by tribal community members.

“I Need to Get My Culture Back”: Youth and Provider Perspectives on Integrating Culturally Based Approaches into Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Youth Experiencing Homelessness

“…Cultural dispossession is understood to manifest in a plethora of health disparities experienced by Native Hawaiians, higher levels of chronic diseases, substance use disorder, and decreased life expectancy (Mokuau et al, 2016 ). Other Indigenous populations connected cultural dispossession and negative outcomes related to identity, social inclusion, and wellness (Jensen & Lopez-Carmen, 2022 ; Lewis et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Policymakers should also consider integrating cultural practices and substantive presentations of Hawaiian history into public education. A recent evaluation of a cultural and language education program for Cherokee youth found improved diet and exercise, mental health, and social and cultural connection (Lewis et al, 2022 ). Programs supporting Indigenous language maintenance and revitalization have also been found to protect indigenous health on both an individual and community-wide level (Whalen et al, 2022 ).…”

Resilience and health in American Indians and Alaska Natives: A scoping review of the literature

“…At the end of the program, participants had improved diet and exercise, improved mental health, and improved social and cultural connection. At the 6-month follow-up, participants still exhibited lower levels of depression, anger, and stronger Cherokee identity (Lewis et al, 2022).…”

The role of culture in the association between racial discrimination and alcohol use among North American Indigenous adolescents reporting recent drinking

“…Other work has found participation in cultural activities to be positively associated with alcohol use (Yu & Stiffman, 2007) and cultural affiliation to be unrelated to alcohol use among NAI youth (Schick et al, 2022; Whitesell et al, 2014). Further, engagement in traditional NAI practices has been found to buffer the negative effects of racial discrimination on mental health outcomes, such as depression (Lewis et al, 2022; Whitbeck et al, 2002). Whitbeck et al (2002) theorized that those with weaker cultural affiliation may be more susceptible to the negative effects of experiencing discrimination than those adolescents who report strong affiliation to traditional culture, perhaps because engaging with culture exposes adolescents to increased social support and a sense of strength and pride in their community.…”