Family as the Conduit to Promote Indigenous Women and Men's Enculturation and Wellness: "I wish I had learned earlier"

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how food and other cultural traditions promote wellness, cultural continuity, enculturation, and family resilience within tribal communities in the U.S. Using the Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence (FHORT), this critical ethnography examines Indigenous peoples' perspectives on and experiences with food and cultural traditions. Thematic analysis of data from 436 participants (approximately 2/3rds of which were women) across two Southeastern tribes revealed a theme of "fostering the transmission of tribal knowledge and intergenerational family bonding." Traditions such as dancing, food, sewing, beadwork, basket-weaving, music, and tribal sports were some important facets of tribal culture that participants described. Food and cultural practices promoted wellness, pro-social values, and health by fostering physical activity, traditional food practices, enculturation, and social support. Cultural practices offset historical oppression and health disparities. Programs that utilize the strengths of experiential learning through family and cultural practices are highly recommended.

Keywords: Enculturation; Health Equity; Health disparities; Indigenous; Native American/American Indian; Resilience; Wellness.