North American Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience

AMST-A 399 — Fall 2021 — Themester

Location
ED 2101
Days and Times
MW 4:00 PM–5:15 PM
Course Description

This course will focus on North American Indigenous peoples’ resilience defined broadly and in accordance with the Center for American Indian Resilience as individual and collective positive response to adversity and risk. From this definition, the course will build on the central concepts of individual and collective North American Indigenous peoples’ resiliency, which Nick Tilsen (Oglala Lakota), former director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, summarized as:

  • Social Connectedness: Building strong connections within a community through frequent and quality interactions leading to a positive impact on health.
  • Pro Social Attitudes and Behaviors: The desire to help those in need, to make contributions to one’s community, and to develop respectful and caring relationships among peers.
  • Leadership: Must be shared, comprise a diverse group, responsive and representative of all.
  • Resources: Availability: It is easy to get access, Accessibility: Everyone has access. Quality: Degree of excellence
  • Infrastructure: Essential needs met within the community: quality education, safe environment, etc.
  • Stable economy: Shopping within the local economy to provide jobs, and increase growth rate.

Instructor: Dr. April Sievert and Dr. Richard Henne-Ochoa