tobacco use and american indian culture

Tobacco Use and American Indian Culture

Cynthia Tainpeah

• Tobacco is used in a variety of waysSmoked in pipes, rolled in dried cornhusks

or placed in a fire as an offering• Used for prayer and as medicine• Tobacco is used as a gift• Sacred use of tobacco is different for

many tribes• Some tribes do not use tobacco in a

sacred way

Sacred Use

Definition: Commercial Tobacco

Any tobacco product other than that used by American Indians for the sole purpose of healing of the mind, body, and spirit.

Includes: cigarettes whether hand rolled or rolled commercially, chew tobacco, cigars, snuff, and pipe tobacco.

Strategies

• Bi-directional education• True Partnerships• Flexibility

Second Wind: A stop smoking curriculum for American Indians

StrategiesCulturally Competent- Tailoring information, education, and making it relevant

Tobacco Growing Workshop

Awareness Campaign 2000

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma• California Rural Indian Health Board• Indigenous Peoples Task Force

Tribal Support Centers• SEARHC

•Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

• Black Hill Health Center

Challenges

ConvenienceResourcesFundingAccess

Tobacco Control Task Force Technical AssistanceFieldbook: Available Spring 2009Website: http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/epi/Email: Megan.Wohr@ihs.gov

RESOURCES:

Lisa D. KerfootInter-Tribal Council of Michigan2956 Ashmun St.Sault Ste. Maire, MI 49783Phone: 906.632.6896Email: lkerfoot@itcmi.orgWebsite: http://www.keepitsacred.com

www.cdc.gov/tobacco