Untold Stories: American Indians and Tobacco in the US (Dr. Claradina Soto)

How many people in the United States identify as American Indian (AI) or Alaska Native (AN)?

9.7 million

How many different AIAN tribes are there in the US?

570+

How many federally recognized tribes does Alaska have?

229

What is the largest Indian reservation?

Navajo Nation Tribe

How many indigenous languages are there?

Over 200

How many people identify as AI/AN in California?

630,000

How many federally recognized tribes does California have?

109

How many reservations or “rancherias” does California have?

85

Which state do AIs reside in than in any other state?

California

Which state has the largest ‘Urban AI’ population?

California

What does Tribal sovereignty provide the Tribal governments the right to?

• govern their members

• govern their tribal lands

• establish their own laws

What does tribal sovereignty provide exemption from?

• state tax

• smoke-free laws

Tribes have the right to implement which kind of plicy?

smoke-free policy

Which authority are tribes subject to?

federal las

What are 5 things to keep in mind when working with tribes?

1. respect sovereignty

2. develop a relationship

3. understand their needs

4. include them in the process

5. give and take, don’t just take!

How many AIAN adults currently smoke cigarettes?

More than 1 in 5 AIAN adults

How many adult AIAN currently smoke cigarettes? What is the percentage of adults overall?

22.6% AIAN

13.7% overall

What is the leading cause of cancer deaths in AI/AN people?

lung cancer (cause by cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke)

AIAn high schoolers have the —— current cigarette smoking rate of any other race? What are the percentages?

• have highest current cigarette smoking rate of 16.2% compared to 5.8% overall

What percentage of AIAN middle schoolers smoke compared to overall?

AIAN: 2.7%

Overall: 2.3%

Why is tobacco important to Native American Indian cultures?

-played an important role in traditional Native American Indian cultures for thousands of years

• tobacco is a medicine

What kind of tobacco is the public health problem around?

recreational, habitual, and commercial tobacco

How is tobacco used?

• as a sacred offering

• sweat lodges

• drum groups

• offering of prayers

• tobacco as a spiritual gift

What are the 7 ways traditional tobacco is used?

1. intentional

2. relatively natural and unprocessed

3. not inhaled

4. viewed as medicine and sacred ancestor

5. seen as a spirit (I-thou relationship)

6. used for ceremony or prayer

7. gathered and cultivated as a plant ancestor

What are the 7 ways commercial tobacco is used?

1. Habitat/unmindful

2. processed and laces with additives and chemicals

3. inhaled or used repeatedly

4. viewed as unhealthful, shameful addiction

5. seen as a drug (I-it relationship)

6. smoke/vape/dip/chew casually

7. produced by corporations for profit and distributed as a commodity