Navajo: Bridging the Gap Between Modern Medicine and Tribal Culture

Navajo: Bridging the gap between modern medicine and tribal culture

ANTH 1100

09/30/2010

Jain

Navajo: Bridging the gap between modern medicine and tribal culture

The Navajo Nation, with 250,000 members, is the largest Indian tribe within the United States. The growth of the Navajo tribe has been astonishing considering that they migrated in from Canada and Alaska. The Navajo trekked in by way of a temporarily exposed piece of land that surfaced during the last ice age. The Navajo believe that their final destination was ordained. They believe that they were created by sacred beings and were in fact directed to migrate to live between four mountains that symbolize each of the four direction. For this reason the Navajo Nation still remains nestled between New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Much like many of the other cultures we have discussed in class, as the Navajo travelled they began to adopt different ways of other settlers or indigenous peoples who had come before them. The lifestyle of the Pueblo Indians was the most influential addition into the Navajo adaptation. The Navajo Indians are known for their beautiful artwork, weaving, and their elaborate explanations of their divine history. The Navajos successfully blended the lifestyles of other cultures into a unique one of their own. The determination of the Navajo to prevail can still be seen within the Navajo Nation today. The Navajo people have a confidence in their abilities and their purpose. This perspective can be seen within all aspects of their culture, including medicine.

The Navajo have a renowned hospital located in Tuba City, Arizona that once again shows the unique intertwinement that the Navajo do so well. At this hospital the Navajo have devised a way to bridge together their cultural medicine with modern medicine. The article touches on the environment of the hospital. Each aspect of its system is respected. The two different sides work together in order to complement each...