Friday, July 13, 2007

Native American youth and alcohol

Alcohol has long been an issue with indigenous peoples around the world. Most cultures had some form of alcholol prior to its modern introduction in the form of hard liquor, but the indigenous forms of alcohol were usually not as strong.

Applied social scientists and indigenous leaders have been trying to work with the problems associated with alcohol in the modern world. One persistent problem, however, is how indigenous peoples are still portrayed, and how their problems with alcohol are dealt with. A recent article by Rhonda Ramirez highlights an approach with promising results.

Ramirez, Rhonda. (2007). Native American Youth and Alcohol: Wellness and the Red Road. The Applied Anthropologist, 27(1): 86-93.

Abstract

The relationship between Native American youth and alcohol is a leading health and educational problem. An interpretive perspective shaped by critical hermeneutics recognizes and accepts the challenge to come up with solutions. To shift from a deficit-based model of cure that is emphasized in Western medicine to a perspective of care and hope may aid in better understanding Native American adolescents. The path of the Red Road encompasses tribal identity and traditions as a means of gaining and maintaining balance and harmony with the world. Savage and uncivilized iconography attached to Native Americans since the arrival of non-natives is not dissimilar to that associated with other indigenous peoples around the world. One significant shift in approach would be to highlight adolescent success and to move the public away from negative messages and punitive attitudes.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Just found your blog and noted your post. The current Australian government has voiced some pathetic excuses over the years as to why it won't support such an instrument. There are two main objections from the Australian government to the UN instrument:

*current Australian laws and instruments already guarantee the rights of indigenous people

*the proposed UN instrument conflicts with the Australian constitution and the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993

The contentions of the Australian goverment are hard to understand (not to mention embarrassing and unfound) given the ratification of previous UN/ILO treaties & conventions.

A history of the genesis of Aboriginal land rights in Australia tells us that its not really about indigenous rights, it's about legal certainty for governments and resource developers.

Perhaps Rio Tinto will take up the cause behalf of indigenous peoples? A tad cynical :0

Anyway, just some info.

Anonymous said...

i like having intercorse with other men. Is that a prblem if i have a wife? I don't think so but maybe it is. What do you think? PLease give me your apinion. Do any of you like men?

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