Adapt for Native Culture

In Native culture, health is defined as a balance of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects. We encourage you to Find Wicozani. Ceremonies and kinship practices are important aspects of Lakota/Dakota culture. These elements can weave together with the BCBH-SD workshop curriculum for a more robust and satisfying learning experience.

Each BCBH-SD workshop group can customize the activities that speak to them. Some ideas to consider include:

Location

• Choose a traditional or historical site for workshops
• Make sure the site is azilya friendly for sage or sweetgrass
• Make sure the room is large enough to accommodate prayer or learning circles

Supplies

• Make traditional gifts available or consider incorporating crafting, beading, or creating artwork before, during, or after the workshop
• Prepare or supply traditional foods

Blessings & Prayer
Incorporate traditional blessings such as:

• Smudging—Burning sage/sweetgrass, pulling the smoke over you as you pray
• Caŋŋnuŋŋpa—Prayer with traditional pipe and tobacco practices including caŋŋsasa
• Use traditional names

Activities for Self-Management Education Workshops
Traditional language introductions and greetings include answers to questions like: Where are you from? Who is your Family? What tribe are you from? Or the meaning of your name. These can be spoken or written on cards. Also recognize that Tiyospayes (families) from other tribes may introduce themselves with their clan or band.

Mind/body connection/distraction—use a traditional activity, like the rock and fist game, for distraction before, during, or after the workshop. Use a plum or chokecherry for mind/body connection.

Action planning can be introduced by encouraging cultural activities such as researching your lineage or chief, learning a new traditional phrase, prayer, song, game, or activity. These can be incorporated into the workshop itself or as challenge done outside of the sessions and reported back to the group.

Physical activity—learning or rekindling your connection to traditional exercise such as dance, traditional lacrosse, double ball, horseback riding, hunting, harvest, canoeing, or archery can improve physical and emotional health and help you keep balanced.

Good night’s sleep—At the end of the workshop, drink hot soup or tea to help with sleep. Listen to flute music, traditional song, or sing a prayer song.