Question

2. Describe communication styles and concerns that may generally affect relationships with Native Americans.

Answer 1

Native Americans are very particular in their communication. They are not very talkative and are considered to be reserved and very sustain to their feelings. They are mainly trained not to show their emotions to others and to reserve it withing themselves. While communicating with these people we have to be very careful and think many times before we talk to them.

One of the method to communicate with them is to win their confidence before building any kind of relationship with them. Hence, in order to do so we should use the method of storytelling and circular conversation because if we talk about our selves and open ourselves Infront of them it will help them to ease a little Infront of us. Then during our non verbal cues we should never touch the patient because it might become very personal to the person. You should not directly touch their head and hair because it is considered to be sacred. So before giving any kind of procedure and care we should explain it to the patient as well as the family members about the purpose and the procedure. We should be very careful as their ornaments, jewellery, hair and other things may have some kind of spiritual meaning to it and maybe for some spiritual beliefs and purpose. Hence, we need to ask the patient if she or he has any kind of spiritual object with them and if it should be removed from the patients body then we should explain it to them and their family members and then ask them to remove it instead of touching it directly and also that they should keep the possession near to the patient untill it is reattached to the patient.

Also we should be a very good listener and have a good sense of humour in order to build a strong relationships with them. We should also use very polite and respectful language while talking to them. If possible we can use some of the words in their language which will make them feel that we are trying very hard to win their confidence and make them realize it. Maintaining of eye contact while talking to them is very necessary as they find it intimidating while having conversations. If possible talk to them about spiritual things related to God and his wills and his blessings upon the people as they are more religious and think about God in all their work.