<p> This thesis presents an investigation of body image and connection with nature among American Indian female adolescents. This mixed method study incorporating the use of focus groups and survey for data collection examined the perspective and voice of teen girls from a rural American Indian community. The thesis considers how modern western influences play a role in American Indian teen girl&rsquo;s development and views of beauty and body image. This research provides perspective on American Indian adolescent girls&rsquo; perceptions of their body image, as well as their perceptions regarding their connection to the natural world. Participants experienced an array of outdoor activities and most of the participants claim they have had or have a connection with the nature world and enjoy the outdoors. The research discovered the importance of cultural identity and how it can support a positive sense of self and a positive body image among American Indian female adolescents. The study provides insight and understanding regarding adolescent girls in American Indian communities, thereby allowing greater understanding in initiatives towards the development of all female American Indian adolescent adventure programming that is both meaningful and relevant to the culture. The research suggests the participants are influenced by their community and culture, focusing on the inner beauty or self-esteem of a person rather then the physical aspect of a person. Most of the participants like being out in nature and claim to have a connection with the natural world.</p>

Pain is a growing national public health problem that contributes to spiraling health care costs and significant societal burden in the United States. It is the most common reason for seeking health care services, and is the leading cause of disability (CDC, 2008). Inadequately treated pain has profound social, psychological, economic, and physiological consequences for patients, their families, and society (American Pain Society, 2009).A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used for this project to develop a knowledge base about issues associated with chronic pain and its treatment among Native American people in Winslow, AZ. Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) were used to gain insight into the local factors that contribute to the self-management and treatment of chronic pain.The results of a provider survey indicated that there are negative psychological traits toward patients with chronic pain such as authoritarianism, intolerance of ambiguity, reliance on technology, and locus of control which are factors that are known to negatively influence pain care (Weinstein et al, 2000). Lack of knowledge regarding pain and pain management along with perceptions and fears related to drug regulatory agencies were additional factors that were found, constituting additional barriers. Patient participants were generally dissatisfied with the pain care practices at Winslow Indian Health. Patient reported treatment goals that included relief of pain, improved quality of life, the ability to return to work, the ability to perform household chores, and the ability to participate in more physical leisure activities.This results of this practice inquiry indicate there is a disconnect between patient and provider views and expectations around pain treatment and the need for further studies to determine the best ways to address chronic pain at the local level. The development of a pain management program is recommended to address the unmet needs of patients with chronic pain. Education in pain management is recommended for healthcare providers, including information regarding the benefits of non-pharmacologic therapies for pain management. The practice inquiry also supports the need for new policies at the local, tribal, and national levels to address pain as a growing public health issue.

<p> Community colleges are increasingly accountable for student outcomes and have been focused on closing outcome gaps among groups of students. Nevertheless, Native American students have continued to be among the lowest performing ethnic groups. Yet there has been a dearth of studies on Native American community college student experiences. This dissertation addresses the lack of research by presenting perspectives of Native American community college students. Native American students&rsquo; perspectives on their educational experiences and how those experiences supported or hindered achievement of their educational goals provide a foundation for understanding why outcome gaps persist. Further, these perspectives suggest ways the gaps can be closed. The interviews and focus group conducted with 10 Native American community college students resulted in qualitative data that revealed factors that influenced students&rsquo; educational experiences and educational goals. This study finds that students&rsquo; pathways through community college, factors within the community college (faculty, campus environment, students, services, staff), student development, factors external to the community college (family, work, financial aid, &ldquo;significant life challenges,&rdquo; tribal community), and cultural factors (identity, symbols, behaviors, expectations, &ldquo;rez life,&rdquo; racism, curriculum, historical trauma, Native American classmates) influenced educational experiences and goals. This study posits that by supporting the positive factors and mitigating the negative factors, community colleges can better support Native American students in achieving their educational goals and thus move closer to closing equity gaps. Further, this dissertation recommends further research on each of these factors and how the factors influence and impact Native American community college student success.</p>

Native American Nations have perpetually had the highest rates of poverty and unemployment and the lowest per capita income of any ethnic population in the United States. Additionally, American Indian students have the highest high school dropout rates and lowest academic performance rates as well as the lowest college admission and retention rates in the nation. As Native Nations try to reverse these trends through sustainable economic development, they must do so with a limited number of educated, skilled workers in their own communities and with a complicated relationship with higher education that obstructs their ability to create a viable work force. This qualitative study proposed to research American Indian postsecondary access within the context of Native nations’ sovereignty and their social and economic development. Utilizing a theoretical framework of human capital and its role in rebuilding Native American economies, interviews were conducted with 19 education informants representing federally-recognized tribes in the Southern Plains Region. Major themes included financial issues related to college going in Native populations, familial and community influences, academic readiness, curricular development and delivery, the role of higher education in preparing students for tribal employment, and tribal economic development. Increasing Native American college student success and preparation for tribal employment requires collaboration between the sovereign nations and postsecondary entities that serve their populations. Ultimately, tribes will benefit from developing, or continuing to develop, a culture of college going in their communities, educational institution partnerships that create support services for their students, and curriculum to support the training of future tribal leaders. This study reinforces the importance of human capital in economic development for tribes and highlights the critical role that higher education can play in preparing American Indian students to serve their tribes.

This thesis constructs the cultural biography of the National Museum of the American Indian’s Stockbridge-Munsee tote, a twentieth-century souvenir craft, in order to examine the tote’s cultural and cross-cultural associated meanings and how these associated meanings shift from one context to another. It follows the tote’s history including its production, purchase, and transfer. This thesis briefly recounts the Stockbridge-Munsee Indians’ history and focuses on a few examples of craft objects produced prior to the 1960s, when the Stockbridge-Munsee tote was made. Wisconsin Indian Craft, a craft cooperative formed in the 1960s, produced objects such as the Stockbridge-Munsee tote. This tote, along with seventeen other Wisconsin Indian Craft souvenirs, was purchased by the Department of the Interior Indian Arts and Crafts Board in 1964 and transferred to the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection in 2000. This thesis analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the inclusion of the Stockbridge-Munsee tote in the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection. From constructing the Stockbridge-Munsee tote’s cultural biography, this thesis concludes that the tote’s associated meanings do not merely shift from context to context. Rather, these associated meanings build upon one another to create layers of coexisting associated meanings.

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Laurence A. Clement / Research suggests that Native Americans, Chicanos, and African Americans are groups underrepresented in the North American memorial landscape. The fluid nature of a group and individual’s identity (and the memory that shapes it) contributes to the underrepresentation in commemoration and memorials. As communities and the associated identities continue to blend and overlap moments of positive cultural exchange can take place, but at times the outcomes are in the realm of contention and conflict. The collaborative nature of landscape architecture together with the profession’s ability to understand and interpret complex systems and narratives can fully engage and bring form to the morally imaginative, creative act of peacebuilding. The concept of shifting and variant meaning led to this study that considered the question- How might memorials be designed as reconciliatory agents in cultural landscapes with conflicting histories? This study engaged the concept of memory and identity with Oglala Lakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, regarding the tragedy of Wounded Knee, through adapted ethnographic approaches in interviewing, site visits, extensive literature review, mapping and design inquiry. The design inquiry responds to social, economic, and ecological narratives to inform the design of the reconciliatory-minded memorial. The initial premise of the project was situated in the understanding that events with contested meaning are difficult to memorialize because there are so many differing voices; irreconcilable in the built form. While that is true in some contexts, initial findings suggests these groups are underrepresented because it is difficult to memorialize that which is a contemporary social justice or inter-demographic issue. In light of this and further research, the author believes that memorials seeking to honor demographics or events that directly affect contemporary groups might be contextually more appropriate, and act as mediators, if they focus forward rather than solely and solemnly reflect the past. Conceptual sketches conclude this study, offering possibilities for design expression, which might be realized with community participation.

The Wickliffe Thick pottery type, an unusual vessel with a globular body, thick wall, and funnel-like opening at the bottom, has been assumed to be related to salt production and/or juice pressing. The following project presents the results of a use-wear analysis in order to understand Wickliffe Thick’s possible uses demonstrating that past conclusions likely need revision. A systematic, macroscopic analysis of ceramic sherds from more than 20 Mississippian sites throughout Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois are included in the study. Use-wear on the samples occur in a low frequency. Although other factors such as a white efflorescence, and Wickliffe Thick’s temporal and spatial layout may hint at its usage in the nixtamalization process. This paper lays out the evidence for these hypotheses while also recording the characteristics of Wickliffe Thick across the southeastern United States.

After years of assimilation and acculturation, many Native Americans have both the means and strength to assert their unique identity among mainstream America. They have devised various channels for accomplishing this, such as language classes and continuing traditional practices, often using resources offered through State, Federal or Tribal Historic Preservation programs. Constructions of contemporary traditional architecture can be another of these tools used to promote this cultural renaissance. As a field that defines itself on the basis of cultural conservation, Historic Preservation principles claim to support these endeavors; however, because they do not meet the age criteria for "historic structures," such buildings are often left out of the preservation matrix. By examining the Achfa-hammi plankhouse of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, this thesis will address the building's impact on cultural revitalization and explore the disconnect that exists between Historic Preservation policies and new constructions of tribal architectures.

<p> Data show the number of doctoral degrees conferred in the U.S. increased for students of all racial/ethnic groups. However, from a percentage standpoint, American Indian students earning doctoral degrees were the least amount of increase. More American Indian females sought doctoral degrees than did American Indian men. However, it was not known what factors influenced American Indian female scholars, what characteristics of validation theory may have contributed, and how supportive factors&ndash;tribal culture, family, faculty, peers&mdash;contributed to earning a doctoral degree and becoming professors within a single higher education institution. Rend&oacute;n&rsquo;s validation theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. The purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore what factors influenced American Indian female scholars to earn a doctoral degree and become professors within a single higher education institution. Data were collected using a questionnaire, interviews, and interview notes. A constant comparative method was used to analyze qualitative data. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, and hand coded to identify commonalities in language and thought. Study findings included themes of self-determination/strong self-concept, love of learning, a degree for everyone, elements of validation theory, spirituality, ceremonies, religion, culture, family, faculty, and peers. Sub-themes included lack of cultural capital and no real plan. Study implications may assist higher education institutions, American Indian female scholars, and other minority scholars through the development of programs designed to support a holistic approach towards academic persistence. </p><p>

abstract: Art is a form of spiritual expression that is thriving in many Indigenous cultures. It can take many forms, meanings and have a multitude of emotional, mental, physical and spiritual effects on its creator as well as its audience. Amongst American Indians, art has been a method for maintaining holistic well-being intended to heal and cope with traumatic experiences. In this thesis, I examine the western societal and cultural influences that have led to the loss of cultural identity and examine approaches and practices that aim to re-establish a resilient connection to identity and well-being using art as a spiritual catalyst. Literary research and articles were reviewed related to the issue of art as a form of spiritual expression in Indigenous cultures. An autoethnography was conducted with the intent to record and reflect on the well-being of the researcher in relation to her artistic expression. Journaling and vlogging were used as research methods and painting, sketching, and beading was used as artistic methods. Over the course of six months, over 50 videos with 30 hours of raw footage were recorded; averaging 2 hours per day. The results are reflected in the researchers free-flowing and emotionally driven reflection of experiences that have driven her artwork. This thesis supports the establishment of art as a form of spiritual expression for transforming the current western focused health care paradigm to one that recognizes, values and employs Indigenous insight, methodologies, worldviews, culture and spirituality. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis American Indian Studies 2018