HUES Women’s Health Advocacy Institute honors Indigenous women to the land now known as the United States, their contributions to health, and their expertise in community care during Indigenous Peoples' Month and all other months. As we are located on the lands once nurtured and maintained by 𐓏𐒰𐓓𐒰𐓓𐒷 𐒼𐓂𐓊𐒻 𐓆𐒻𐒿𐒷 𐓀𐒰^𐓓𐒰^(Osage), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), Hopewell Culture, Adena Culture, Kaskaskia, Myaamia. We are responsible for making space for those histories, practices, and knowledges that have been silenced for so long.

We acknowledge that Indigenous women, their families, and communities were forcibly removed from the lands they called home and forced to Ohio were forcibly removed and forced to migrate to reservations in Kansas and Oklahoma. Despite this removal, Indigenous women of diverse tribal affiliations continue to live in Southwest Ohio. Likewise, these women work diligently to sustain heritages, beliefs, practices, and contributions that have shaped life in Ohio and nationwide. In our humble attempt to understand and raise awareness about the significant role Indigenous women play in sustaining the rich history and practices related to the health and wellness of Indigenous communities. We recognize that there are cultural variations between tribes and that these variations impact mental, physical, and spiritual wellness practices.

Traditional Native American Women's Wellness Practices

Traditional wellness practices among Native American women encompass a variety of cultural, spiritual, and holistic approaches deeply rooted in their heritage. These practices promote physical health and enhance mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The preference for traditional medicine is partly due to negative experiences with Western healthcare systems, including racism and cultural insensitivity. Integrating traditional medicine into Western healthcare settings could improve health outcomes and healthcare experiences for Indigenous women, involving using midwives and traditional healers, engaging in childbirth ceremonies, using plants as medicines, and crafting. Indigenous crafting practices, such as basket weaving, beading, sewing, and storytelling, significantly promote wellness among Native American women. These activities foster intergenerational cohesion and cultural connectedness, crucial for individual and community well-being. Engaging in these traditional crafts helps transfer cultural teachings from elders to younger generations, instilling pride in Indigenous identity and aiding in healing from historical trauma

Indigenous spiritual practices, including Indigenous languages, engagement with traditional healers, and participation in ceremonies like sweat lodges, cedar baths, smudging, and other spiritual ceremonies, are essential to Indigenous healing. These practices are crucial for overcoming harmful histories of deculturalization and closing the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people. Involvement in the community and cultural activities are beneficial for mental health. These practices enhance spiritual connectedness, provide a sense of community, and support cultural identity, all of which contribute to improved mental health outcomes.

Consuming traditional foods is another critical aspect of wellness for Native American women. Traditional diets, which include culturally significant foods, are associated with better community connectedness and cultural identity. Studies have shown that women, particularly those in smaller communities, are more likely to adhere to traditional diets, which are linked to better cardiovascular health and overall well-being

Integrating these traditional practices into broader healthcare and community programs can significantly benefit Native American women's health and wellness.