Native American Curriculum

The primary intent of this behavioral health curriculum is to provide an educational experience primarily for non-native licensed behavioral health providers in Minnesota. Although this curriculum focuses primarily on Dakota, and Ojibwe groups with mental health and substance abuse issues located in Minnesota, it has the potential to be adapted for a broader application.

Curriculum goals:

• To improve the behavioral health treatment experiences for Native Americans;
• To provide a Native American cultural competency educational program for non-native staff members of mental health and substance abuse programs;
• To explore causal reasons for alcohol and drug abuse and mental health issues among Native American populations;
• To identify Native American cultural and spiritual ways, and other ways, that contribute to the prevention, treatment and discharge of alcohol and drug abuse and mental health issues among individuals and families

Curriculum topics:

• Cultural/spiritual values before European contact Government policies, treaties and federal laws
• Social and political structures of reservations
• Prejudicial and discrimination
• Cultural orientations
• Traditional family relationships
• Trauma and grief
• Poverty
• Mental health
• Introduction to spiritual ceremonies
• History of alcohol and drug abuse
• Multiple addictions and diseases
• Learning styles and counseling strategies