Transcript: Community Theme Introduction
Hear why connections between families and communities are vital for Native health and wellbeing.
- [Narrator:]
- The powwow is an ancient Native American tradition that still serves to gather the community. Elders lead the Grand Entry, followed by military veterans, and then by other honored members and organizations. The gathering of the community is a cherished practice because in a traditional society, the community is a source of support and healing. For Native peoples, individual health cannot be separated from community wellness. On many reservations, traditional sports such as Choctaw stickball are important sources of physical exercise and cultural preservation. In this kiosk, you’ll hear about the differences between life on the reservation and life in the city, and attitudes that Native people share regardless of where they are living. There are also stories about diseases and disorders that have damaged Native communities, and the boarding school system that removed many of the best and brightest students from their homes.