Nursing: Cultural Competence, Sensitivity and Empowerment
Cultural Competence, Sensitivity and Empowerment: Nursing
The changing demographics of the modern-day multicultural world are increasingly challenging healthcare professionals to consider cultural diversity as a priority in the health sector. Being able to deliver effective care to patients from diverse backgrounds begins with understanding the values, beliefs, and customs associated with different cultures. This text summarizes the writer's experience in a Native American powwow, and explores the effect of the Native American culture on the nursing profession.
Nursing: Cultural Competence, Sensitivity and Empowerment
Diversity is a word that perhaps means something different to each and every individual (Campinha-Bacote, 2003). What is for sure, however, is that the changing demographics of the modern-day multicultural world have, and continue to challenge healthcare professionals to consider cultural diversity as a fundamental concern in the health sector. The U.S. population is projected to reach 400 million by 2050, and estimates show that by then, no single ethnic group will constitute a majority of the country as a whole (Cooper, 2012). These statistics present a vivid picture of the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity among stakeholders in the key sectors of the economy, including the health sector. To be able to deliver quality care to people from diverse backgrounds, healthcare professionals will need to understand the values, beliefs, customs, and practices associated with different cultures, and how the same relate to the delivery and provision of care. This is the first step towards delivering culturally-competent care in a rapidly-evolving environment (Campinha-Bacote, 2003). This thirst for cultural competence was the motivating factor behind my decision to attend the August edition of the Native American powwow ceremony in Arlee, Montana late last year. The experience increased my awareness of the Native American culture, and changed my worldview about diversity and Aboriginal communities. The subsequent sections of this text describe the powwow ceremony, and the cultural lessons learnt as self, and as a prospective caring nurse generalist.
Description of the Cultural Event
Native American powwows are the Native American's way of meeting together to join in singing and dancing, as well as to meet up with old friends, and meet new ones. The main aim of the event is to renew the culture of Native Americans and preserve American Indians' rich heritage. Sources give different views about how the powwow was started. Some believe that when the Native American tribes were forced into reservations, the government also gave them the authority to hold cultural dances, which the public could come and watch. Other sources, however, suggest that the powwow originated from the war dance societies of the Southern Plain Tribes such as the Ponca.
What happens in a powwow is that people from various Native American tribes sing, dance and share their songs, which range from religious to social, and war. The main activities include singing and dancing contests, feasting, encampments, powwow princess contests, parades, softball tournaments, horse races, and hand games (McCluskey, 2009). The scheduled activities differ from powwow to powwow, depending on the type and location (McCluskey, 2009).
In the Arlee Powwow, dancing is the primary activity. The event begins with the Grand Entry (McCluskey, 2009). In the Grand Entry, the eagle staff is carried into the circle, accompanied by the American, Canadian, state and tribal flags (McCluskey, 2009). The title holders from tribal pageants then make their way into the circle together with other invited dignitaries. The male dancers registered to take part in the ceremony then follow the dignitaries, beginning with the traditional dancers, the green dancers, and finally, the fancy dancers. The women follow in the same order as the men, and then finally, the little boys and girls' traditional and fancy dancers make their way into the arena (McCluskey, 2009).
The dancers dance clockwise around the arbor, showing their outfits and dance steps, and giving the audience a feel of what to expect in the main event (McCluskey, 2009). The dancers' outfit is authentic, consisting of a headdress, apron, moccasins, and rattles/bells (McCluskey, 2009). The term 'outfit' is used in place of 'costume' as the latter is considered derogatory (McCluskey, 2009). All dancers are required to register for prize money, and to take part in the Grand Entry.
The Grand Entry lasts about half-an-hour, after which a flag song (an equivalent of the national anthem) is sung to mark the start of the ceremony. An invocation is said to bless the gathering, and the eagle...
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