Native Americans, also referred to as American-Indians. In this research paper, decided
to examine the culture of Native Americans due to their distinct methods of communication as
compared to other cultural groups in America. Equally, the Native Americans in their nature
showcase a different demeanor and character especially in their cultural values and methods of
communication. Despite the way many contemporary Americans like to express themselves,
Native Americans exhibit the opposite tendencies as compared to other groups of Americans.
Therefore, due to my avid interest in understanding the cultural values informed by my previous
visits to particular States with their landmarks, the knowledge on their cultural communication
practices will be useful in exploring the Native-Americans communication practices further. At
the same time, understanding the communication practices will aid in my insight understanding
the contribution of Native-Americans culture to various elements of American culture.
Kim, Y. Y., Lujan, P., & Dixon, L. D. (1998). “I Can Walk Both Ways” Identity Integration of
American Indians in Oklahoma. Human Communication Research, 25(2), 252-274.
The article by Kim et al. (1998), tends to recognize the experiences of American Indians
based in Oklahoma. Oklahoma authorities provide the setting in which the life activities of
several Native Americans can be closely analyzed in relation to other groups in relative ease. For
instance, researcher Berry, adopted the acculturation model to act as the conceptual model to aid
in understanding various frameworks of Oklahoma Indians identity. There are distinct
communication practices highlighted by Kim et al. (1998), of Native Americans.
For one, the Native American people tend to listen before speaking. Typically, the Native
Americans were socialized as silent people. Holding silence is a key attribute which is
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entrenched in their cultural setup. Majority of Native Americans are known not to showcase their
outward emotions to other people despite circumstances which reveal that they are upset in a
given social situation. Keeping quiet is an element of Native American culture, ingrained
because of the need to listen as compared to speaking.
Much of the small talk of Native Americans is aligned to the family setup where close
family members or friends engage one another. Most significantly, Native Americans tend to
place more emphasis on holding communication as compared to expressing their feelings on an
issue. Thus, the study by Kim et al. (1998), revealed positive correlation that exists between
identity integration, psychological health and interpersonal engagement with non-Indians.
LaFromboise, T. D., Trimble, J. E., & Mohatt, G. V. (1990). Counseling intervention and
American Indian tradition: An integrative approach. The Counseling Psychologist, 18(4), 628-
654.
The article by Teresa et al. (1990) delves into the counselling intervention models related
to the American Indian tradition through an integrative approach. The researchers put emphasis
on the need to adopt a different style of training for American Indian counselling and community
psychologists. Indeed the training should depart from conventional methods of counselling to
adopt cultural sensitive mental approaches which uphold Native American values. Thus, Teresa
et al. (1990) contrasts the unique perspective of Native American social and psychological
dimensions which relate to the theory of counselling. The Native American style is compared
with contemporary methods of counselling which contain individualistic oriented methods and
outcomes used in America.
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In the Native American culture, from an earlier age, the aspect of story-telling is
embraced as an important attribute in communication. Thus, through listening, memorizing and
observing when engaging another person are held as key skills necessary to have. The tradition
of story-telling is a critical element of Native American communication practices valuable to
their culture. Again, under the rules of communication, it is vital for the therapist to understand
that Native Americans culture of keeping silence prevented an individual in asking direct
questions. Also, the rules of communication prevented an individual to expect an immediate
response from the people they are not aware of quite well. Therefore, for counsellors dealing
with American Indians, it is important to understand the power differentials and cultural
orientations of the groups especially the communication models promot