Indigenous Culture as Prevention | June 20, 2023
Date of Presentation: June 20, 2023
Type: Past Presentation
Audience: Clinical
Program: Advancing Pharmacist Roles in Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Teams
Keywords: #colonization #culture #decolonization #decolonizing addiction #health #holistic #indigenous #prevention #revitalization #SUD
In this presentation, Dr. Melissa Lewis, PhD, LMFT, describes the relationship between Indigenous culture and health status. Dr. Lewis discusses Indigenous health and wellbeing as holistic, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and cultural health. Furthermore, Dr. Lewis reviews the degradative effects of colonization, and stresses the importance of cultural revitalization and decolonization as preventative measures and to improve health, overall.
Recording:
Presented by:
Dr. Melissa Lewis, PhD, LMFT
Dr. Melissa Lewis, PhD, LMFT is an Assistant Professor in Family and Community Medicine at the University of Missouri. Dr. Lewis partners with indigenous communities to revitalize traditional lifeways that can ameliorate the negative effects of colonization, thereby improving health and well-being. By revitalizing traditional beliefs, activities, culture and language, indigenous communities are healing themselves from historical loss and trauma. In her research, Dr. Lewis has partnered with communities to create training protocols for mental and medical health professionals to provide better care for indigenous patients and clients. She also partners with her own tribe, Cherokee Nation, to evaluate and co-develop programs aimed to reduce cardiovascular disease by harnessing the power of cultural learning.
Resources Provided:
Date added: June 7, 2023