Ethnic native traditions of care are derived from cultural world-views and values. Ways of knowing about health among aboriginal peoples are culturally congruent sources of health information not widely understood within the Western bio-medical system of health delivery. One result is that aboriginal peoples are vulnerable to cultural conflicts when confronted with health information delivered primarily from a Western viewpoint or that discounts cultural contributions to health. This paper describes ethnographic research investigating the ways of knowing about health of the Ojibwe people of the Lake Superior region of the U.S. and Canada. The five main ways of knowing found to influence health decisions were: 1)Stories from the oral tradition; 2) Authoritative knowledge of elders; 3) "Common sense" models of illness and health; 4) Spiritual knowledge and 5) Personal knowing. Each of the ways of knowing is described in detail. Cultural conflicts resulting from relying primarily on Western valued ways of knowing when working with aboriginal populations are discussed. Recommendations for developing health information resources that honor these cultural traditions and knowledge are offered.
Learning Objectives: 1. The learner will identify ways of knowing about health that inform health decisions of aboriginal people of the Lake Superior region. 2. The learner will identify health information strategies congruent with the aboriginal ways of knowing.
Keywords: Native Americans, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.