Alcoholism
A story about alcohol; save some for tomorrow
Healing: Healers
Choosing a Healer
Only a “chosen few” children are selected to become medicine men
Choosing a Healer
A shaman would treat life-threatening illnesses
Chronic Diseases
Western medicine excels at treating acute illness while traditional medicine can benefit chronic illness
Local Influence
Land, community, and immediate family are sources of healing
Native Diagnosis
A story about the woodpecker; an analogy for the work of the traditional healer
Oral Tradition
Sacred teachings are passed down orally, not through the written word
Shaman
Two original types of Native healers: shamans and empirical healers
Surrogate Patient
Traditional healing can involve a surrogate for the individual who actually needs healing
Traditional Healing
The Indian Health Service respects those who wish to seek traditional healing.