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About this version: Adaptation for American Indians

 

The resource book, There’s No Place Like Home… for Sex Education was first written in English as a series of newsletters to support parents in talking with their children about sex in an age-appropriate way. This book has since been translated into Spanish, Russian and Romanian. The decision to develop an adaptation of this resource book that is culturally appropriate to American Indians grew out of the realization that very few culturally sensitive materials about sexuality and reproductive health exist for American Indian families. A parent from any background will tell you that talking to their children about sex can be a challenge. It makes it that much more difficult when there is a lack of educational materials that are respectful of cultural needs and values.

As Native people, it is important for our children to learn healthy sexual attitudes in an atmosphere that supports our own cultural values. The underlying belief driving this project is that American Indian children should be learning their core values about sex and reproductive health at home. Because of the historical trauma experienced by Native people, many families still experience an intergenerational disconnect in communication of values.

In undertaking this project, we hoped to adapt There’s No Place Like Home …for Sex Education to be culturally sensitive to our needs and values so that American Indian parents have a resource to help them pass on their values about living a sexually healthy life.

The adaptation of this resource took place in partnership with the author, Mary Gossart at Planned Parenthood Health Services of Southwestern Oregon (PPHSSO). It was funded by in part by PPHSSO and by a grant from the Herbert A. Templeton Foundation. Jacqueline Sequoia (Cherokee/Creek/Oconee) initiated this project after a needs assessment of culturally sensitive reproductive health education materials indicated a lack of resources for Native parents (needs assessment funded by the Compton Mentor Fellowship, Compton Foundation, Menlo Park, CA).

From the beginning, community participation was a top priority. Native advisory members in California and Oregon helped evaluate and improve the document. Members included American Indian physicians, health care providers, parents, community organizations, and educators. Talking Circles of Native parents and community members were conducted in San Diego County to learn what issues needed to be addressed in a more sensitive way and about how the document could be made more useful, etc. One talking circle with youth was also held to find out what they believe is the best way for their parents to talk to them about puberty and sexual issues.

Every effort was made to adapt this document to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of the Native communities. The diversity of opinions, customs, beliefs, values and historical experiences among our people are too great to count. Even within tribes, some customs vary. Rather than speak to the tribal/Native experience of any one group we have chosen to be inclusive and focus on general concepts that apply to most families regardless of their tribal background. Some examples contained within this document are tribe specific, but are only intended as examples, and we urge you to connect or reconnect with your own customs and traditions in sharing this resource with your community. It is important to acknowledge how each individual has a different experience as a Native person in today’s world. We hope that our efforts to adapt this resource book to the needs of the Native community will be well received and that the information contained within will be a tool to help restore a healthy balance to our urban communities and reservations.

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