Traditional Culture and Knowledge as Suicide Prevention Among Indigenous People

Abstract

American Indians and Alaska Native (AIAN) people possess the resilience and fortitude to survive attempted genocide, colonization, and assimilation. Still, the resulting intergenerational trauma has left AIANs with suicide rates disproportionately higher than any other race. This study reviews the research on the effectiveness of teaching traditional cultural knowledge and practices as suicide prevention measures. Alcohol and drug abuse have been shown to increase the likelihood of death by suicide; therefore, drug and alcohol use prevention measures will be included. As part of colonization and assimilation, much of the traditional cultural knowledge and practices were suppressed. If drug and alcohol abuse and suicide are due to loss of culture, then culture is the cure.