The Native American Wellness website is the
home of the Native American Wellness Scale (NAWS) doctoral research study. In
addition to serving as the information portal for the NAWS, it is also a
resource for Natives and nonNatives regarding quality of life issues in
Indigenous populations worldwide.
The
website is the project of one woman
dedicated to bridging the information gap between
cultures through the use of
computer technology and the internet; to provide resources and disseminate
information about indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations across the
globe; to facilitate communication between Native and nonNative people; and
follow research trends regarding health and wellness through the use of the
internet and computer technology.
Denise Alvarado, a woman of mixed ethnicity is a
holistic, transpersonal, cultural psychologist, mystical artist, healer, and
lecturer who has presented many cultural sensitivity training seminars and
traditional Native American holistic health care workshops in the United States.
Guiding
Principles
The Native American Wellness website is dedicated to the creative use of modern
technology
to promote indigenous health and well-being and to foster healing
between and among cultures.
This is accomplished through the following guiding
principles:
-
Respect for self and others. I respect the spiritual and cultural roots of individuals and
communities and believe in exploring cultural strengths to create sustainable solutions.
Protect Mother Earth.
-
Self-reliance. I believe that the solutions to problems facing indigenous communities come
from within individuals and communities. This principle is inherent in traditional concepts of
healing.
-
"Listen or your tongue will make you deaf." This traditional Cherokee teaching encourages
paying close attention to the needs of others. This kind of listening deepens intercultural
understanding, allows lasting relationships to develop, and allows holism to emerge as the
central dynamic.
-
Balance. Both the logical and rational left brain, as well as the
intuitive nature of the right brain, are affirmed.
-
Preservation of Native languages and culture.
-
Education. Indigenous cultures worldwide have much in common despite a
great deal of
diversity. These commonalities tend to center around the
sanctity of the interrelatedness of
all life and the historical and
contemporary trauma suffered at the hands of colonizers and
corporate
entities. It is no longer acceptable to merely be aware of these issues.
Through
education, these issues are punctuated and validated so that we can
move towards healing
and lasting solutions.
Dissertation chair, members, and principal investigator
