Counseling the Inupiat Eskimo

by Catherine Swan Reimer

Overview

Current research indicates that in order to counsel a group of people different from the mainstream, it is important to understand their unique worldview. This book defines the worldview of personal well-being for the Inupiat Eskimo in order to establish guidelines for counseling strategies. Strategies are based on the wisdom of village elders, who define personal well-being in order to help others develop counseling practices that can bridge contemporary problems with the traditions and customs of the Inupiat culture.

The Inupiat define well-being by sharing Inupiat words and their meanings in relation to well-being. In their worldview, the way one thinks and acts can have an effect on well-being and on the environment. A reciprocal relationship is formed through proper thinking and conduct, especially in the act of sharing. From the elders' perspective, good parenting and community support guides children to form a positive view of the self and their relationship to the community. The elders share this rich information to help counselors implement some of the old age strategies that helped create healthy families and lifestyles. The Inupiat share positive activities that have helped them build well-being and activities that distract from it through the use of traditional stories and experiences. As the Inupiat share stories about traditional healing practices and attributes of the healer, they reveal strategies and personal attributes that can help outside counselors understand those things that are important to them. Counselors and academics interested in the Inupiat or in general strategies for working with Native American peoples will find this book useful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313309342
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/1999
Series:	International Contributions in Psychology , #36
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1080L (what's this?)

About the Author

CATHERINE SWAN REIMER, an Inupiat Eskimo, is a psychologist who has spent most of her career working with Native Americans throughout the United States in the areas of counseling, prevention, supervision, and education.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Historical Background
Inupiat Descriptions and Words for Personal Well-Being (PWB)
The Effect of Thinking and Proper Conduct on One's Personal Well-Being
Taking Responsibility for One's Well-Being
Sociological Factors Effecting Well-Being
Who Are the Healers from the Village?
What Every Counselor Should Know
Strategies to Help the Inupiat People
Beliefs About the Environment
The Importance of Sharing
Beliefs About the Whale
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Psychologist Reimer contributes to the general field of multicultural counseling by describing the beliefs and values of her own people from northern Alaska, and suggesting appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the high rates of suicide, alcoholism, and depression. In particular, she delves into what the Inupiat consider personal well being. Among her topics are the historical background, taking responsibility, healers from the village, beliefs about the environment and the whale, and the importance of sharing. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews