Chief Joseph

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Chief Joseph AdlerHad Something in Common

• Blending Native American Spirituality with
• Individual Psychology

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Black Elk Lyon, 1990, p33

• mitakuye oyasin- all my relations - Lakota
• We are personally related to all that exists,
  including all people and animals, air, water,
  rock everything green
• They say we could talk to the trees and all
  the green. They say we could talk to the
  wind-people, the four-legged, creeping-crawlers,
  mammals, and fish people. They say that at one
  time we could all talk to each other. No matter
  how many countless languages, forms and shapes,
  and symbols there were, they say we all spoke the
  same mind.

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Native American Social Interest

• Indians love their friends and kindred, and
  treat them with kindness. Cornplanter
• They were kind to me, those old men, when I was
  working hard to learn from them these sacred
  songs. Playful Calf
• These beads are a road between us. Take hold at
  one end, I will at the other, and hold fast.
  Como, 1793
• I was going around the world with the clouds
  when God spoke to my thought and told me tobe at
  peace with all - Cochise

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Native American Social Interest

• The man who sat on the ground in his tipi
  meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the
  kinship of all creatures and acknowledging unity
  with the universe of things, was infusing into
  his being the true essence of civilization.
  Chief Luther Standing Bear
• We shall not failto nourish your heartsabout
  the renewal of our amity and the brightening of
  the chain of Friendship Canassatego, 1742

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Native American Social Interest

• We do not want riches. We want peace and love.
  Red Cloud, 18l70
• The person who has examined the nature of mind
  and relationships, who purifies the energy of
  anger, avarice, envy, and fear and who dedicates
  actions for the benefits of all beings, such a
  person walks the Beauty Path. Dhyani Ywahoo

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Native American Social Interest

• Do not hurt your neighbor, for it is not him you
  wrong but yourself. The Shawnee
• We took an oath not to do any wrong to each other
  or to scheme against each other. Geronimo
• Even as you desire good treatment, so render
  it. Handsome Lake
• We must help one another and the Great Spirit
  will help us both. Pied Riche
• It is my wish and the wishes of my people to
  live peaceably and quietly with you and yours.
  Cornplanter

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Chief Joseph

• I believe much trouble and blood would be saved
  if we opened our hearts more.
• The earth and myself are of one mind.

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The Need for Social Connection

• Deep-seated part of what it means to be human
• Social community interest promotes a sense of
  belongingness and striving for the improvement of
  community
• As individuals feel more socially connected,
  feelings of alienation diminish
• Individuals who do not feel they belong, feel
  anxious, worthless and insecure
• (Adler, 1938,1964)

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Eisenberger Lieberman, 2004

• Humans experience social pain not only from
  psychological distance from an individual but
  also from the perception of psychological
  distance from a social group or even from the
  possibility of social distance.

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Stein (1997)

• All forms of psychological dysfunction are
  directly related to disconnection from the
  feeling of community.
• Stein outlined that, according to Adler,
  individuals should possess the following
  characteristics in order to develop the feeling
  of community and connection

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Attitudinal capacities

• Feeling at home on the earth
• A sense of harmony with the universe
• A deep identification with others
• Letting go of preoccupation with self
• Profound feeling of belonging and embeddedness in
  social evolution

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Behavioral Capacities

• Making contact with others
• Relating to others in a useful way
• Contributing to the common welfare
• Ability to cooperate depends on the degree of the
  feeling of community

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Emotional Capacities

• Empathy for others (to see with their eyes, to
  hear with their ears, to feel with their hearts)
• Feeling connected to others
• The ability to feel and express acceptance,
  liking, and love for others

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N. A. Healing Ceremonies to keep oneself in
good relations

• Individuals strive to honor or heal a connection
  between the self and the natural environment, or
  between the self and the spirit world (Garrett,
  Garrett, Brotherton, 2001)
• Relationships are primary This wisdom provides a
  way of thinking and behaving which facilitates
  the connection of the individual to self, others,
  community, nature, the great universal spirit

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This Presentation/Technique

• Draws from Individual Psychologys concept of
  Social Interest
• Blends with philosophy activities of the Native
  American
• Uses group therapy format in the counseling of
  students who are suffering from a sense of
  disconnection from families, schools, peers,
  selves

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Harmony The Native American Tradition

• All things are connected
• The harmonious coexistence of everything in our
  natural environment
• Harmony can heal alienation
• Interrelatedness can be used to help students
  reconnect to society, to themselves to nature.

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Tough KidsDefiant, Resistant, Disrespectful

• Alienated from society themselves
• Alienation displayed in academic legal
  difficulties, acting out behavior emotional
  disturbance
• Feel alone in conflict
• Dreikurs (1968) the discouraged child
• Bronfenbrenner (1968) To be alienated is to lack
  a sense of belonging, to feel cut off from
  family, friends, school or workthe four worlds
  of childhood. p 8

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At-risk Students Experience Deficits in

• Four Areas of Environmental Transactions
• Destructive Relationships rejected, unclaimed
  child, hungry for love but unable to trust,
  expecting to be hurt again
• Climates of Futility insecure, crippled by
  feelings of inadequacy fear of failure
• Learned Irresponsibility sense of powerlessness
  masked by indifference, defiance, rebellious
  behavior
• Loss of Purpose self-centered, desperately
  searching for meaning among confusing values

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Discouragement of Oppositional Defiant Youth

• Born out of years of experiencing disrespect
  failure, making poor choices, disregarding rights
  feelings of others
• Frustration, anger, acting out are outcomes of
  this cycle of poor self-esteem, poor decisions,
  yielding to impulse
• Need for power control are at base of decisions
  made as result of feeling unloved and unmet needs

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If negative behavior is rewarded w/attention
needs satisfaction

• At-risk youth become self-centered, seeking to
  satisfy their own needs, even when their behavior
  inconveniences or hurts others.
• At the extreme, the youth seeks to hurt others
  to satisfy his or her impulses and narcissistic
  needs.
• Moreau, 2001, p.28

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The Need for Social Connection is Deeply Rooted

• The need for social inclusiveness is a
  deep-seated part of what it means to be human
• Theres something about exclusion from others
  that is perceived as being as harmful to our
  survival as something that can physically hurt us
  and our body automatically knows this
• Eisenberger, UCLA, 2003

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Eisenberger, Science (2003)

• Suggests that the need to be accepted as part of
  a social group is as important to humans as
  avoiding other types of pain
• Humans learn to stick together because rejection
  causes distress in the pain center of the brain
• If it hurts to be separated from other people,
  then it will prevent us from straying too far
  from the social group.

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Physiological Basis for Social Pain

• Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
• Pain center of brain registers both physical and
  emotional pain
• Test subjects playing computer game told they
  were playing with two other players
• Others seemed to exclude and reject subject
• Distress of rejection registered in same part of
  brain (ACC) that responds to physical pain

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Neurophysiologic Findings

• Feeling rejection as acute pain serves as defense
  for the species.
• Because children need long period of care, it is
  very important we stay close to the social group
  for survival.
• Hypothesis social attachment system which makes
  sure we stay with group piggy backed onto the
  pain system to aid survival of our species

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The Study Suggests

• Social exclusion of any sort
• Abandonment
• Not being included in social activities
• Being left out of conversations
• Discrimination
• Separation from family or friends
• Loss of geographical familiarity
• Causes distress in the ACC

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Current Scientific FindingsEcho the Ancient
Wisdom

• Native American tradition provides thinking
  behavior which connects the individual to self,
  others, community, nature, great universal
  spirit.
• All these connections aid the person in surviving
  physically, emotionally spiritually in a
  hostile environment whether ancient or current.

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Native American WisdomProvides Structure

• Nature, pets, therapeutic relationship can heal
  the alienation which keeps our youth on the edge
  of society prevents them from fully
  functional/productive life.
• Sense of connection bridges differences whether
  based on culture, language, or disability.
• Reach the unreachable to build confidence,
  self-esteem, empathy.
• Animals, nature, values of giving, sharing,
  cooperation at core of American Indian wisdom can
  open closed doors in lives of the alienated.

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The Healing Power of Nature

• Poets, prophets, current counseling literature
• Animal facilitated therapy horticulture therapy,
  natural environment therapy
• Humans nature have always had a natural
  relationship providing for spiritual and
  practical needs
• Native American lore reverence for special bond
  between people and nature
• Mental health may be directly related to this
  relationship

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Positive Effects of Contact with Nature

• Increased self-esteem, self confidence,
  self-concept, pride
• Increased levels of responsibility development
  of physical skills
• Human identity personal fulfillment
• Influence on emotional, cognitive, aesthetic,
  spiritual development

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Resources

• Linda Lloyd Nebbe expands Nature Therapy to
  instrumental therapy, relationship therapy,
  passive therapy, cognitive therapy spiritual
  therapy
• Tom Carrs Return to the Land A Search for
  Compassion uses animal nature stories
  activities to build compassion toward others
  nature to sensitize adolescents to the feelings
  of others obtain wisdom applicable to their
  social, emotional academic tasks

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The essence of American Indian spirituality is
about feeling

• The feeling of connection is available to all
  people, although it is experienced in various
  ways.
• Garrett Wilbur ( 1999) described American
  Indian spirituality through four basic cultural
  elements
• Medicine Relation
• Harmony Vision

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Axelson (1999) describes cultural traits

• Individuals may do as they please, but only if
  their actions are in harmony with nature
• American Indian culture values what a person is,
  rather than his/her possessions
• Child-rearing emphasizes self-sufficiency, always
  in harmony with nature.
• Respect for the elderly is mandatory

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Personal Qualities

• Bravery
• Love
• Truth
• Wisdom
• Humility
• Loyalty Respect

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A Unity Model of Group WorkGarrett Crutchfield
(1997)

• Synthesis of contemporary counseling techniques
  traditional Native American wisdom
• Comprehensive approach to developing self-esteem,
  self-determination, body awareness,
  self-concept
• Useful with all children, regardless of race or
  ethnicity
• Emphasizes universal characteristics, such as the
  need to feel a sense of belonging, mastery,
  independence generosity.

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The Unity Model

• The whole is always greater than the sum of its
  partsthe harmonious coexistence of everything in
  our natural environment
• Inner dimensions (mind, body, heart) are not
  separate parts but connected dimensions flowing
  from one another whose interrelation may be
  disrupted by dissonance/discord. Challenge
  balancing interrelation as a unified whole.
• All things have an important /necessary purpose
  in the greater scheme. Accentuates relationships
• their influence on individual growth.

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The Circle of Life

• All things are connected, all things have
  purpose, and all things are worthy of respect and
  reverence in the circle of life.
• The circle symbolizes the cyclical nature of our
  world daily rising setting of the sun
• The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the cyclical nature
  of the world and the self.
• The 4 basic directions represent an aspect of
  life
• All the Directions together are necessary for a
  harmonious and functional way of life

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Cyclical nature of world self depend on the
harmony balance

• East self-esteem how one feels about self and
  ability to grow and change
• South self determination ability to use own
  will to explore develop potential
• West body-awareness experience of ones
  physical self
• North self concept what one thinks about
  oneself and own potential

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4 Directions of the Medicine Wheel(Based on
Cherokee Teachings)
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Brendtro, Brokenleg, Van Bockern (1990, 1991)

• Not meeting the 4 basic needs (belonging,
  mastery, independence, generosity) causes
  alienation and acting out. Healing the unmet
  needs of
• Belonging relationships of trust intimacy.
• Mastery involvement in a setting with
  opportunities for meaningful achievement.
• Independence opportunities to develop positive
  leadership/self-discipline skills/confidence.
• Generosity experiencing the joy of helping
  others.

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Circle of Courage Model

• Cullinan (2002) advocates that schools use
  practices that create a philosophical direction,
  which meets these basic needs.
• Connected students feel more secure, tend to see
  lessons in problems, survive crises better, less
  likely to see themselves as victims, access
  express feelings more easily therefore, act out
  less.
• The Native American philosophy of
  interconnectedness, can blend techniques of pet
  therapy and nature to teach students to connect.

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The Need for Belonging

• When met students are cooperative, friendly,
  affectionate, respectful, trusting, sympathetic.
• Techniques The Talking Circle.
• Coming Together develops respect/acceptance of
  self others by bringing people together in
  respectful manner for sharing/teaching through
  listening learning. All have same opportunity
  to talk with no interruption respect. One is
  not expected to talk unless wants to do so.
• Talk from the mind and from the heart.
• Confidentiality is emphasized.

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Being One with All Beings Ties In Easily with Pet
Therapy

• Development of strong emotional bonds, empathy.
• Opportunity to learn to give receive
  affection.
• Pets substitute for human attachment, reducing
  loneliness, providing love.
• Counselor points out we are all one with nature,
  belong to mother earth, breathe same air that
  animals breathe that touches every element of
  nature.

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The Need for Mastery

• Develops through opportunities for developing
  competence.
• Native American children are taught
• Someone with more competence is not a rival, but
  a resource achievement is for personal reasons,
  not for competition.
• Techniques use of art, literature, dance can
  build creativity self-esteem.
• The Medicine Shield expression of unique gifts.

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Medicine Shield carries Medicine through Art
Self-expression

• Demonstrates lessons learned from 4 directions of
  Medicine Wheel (symbolizes individual journey to
  find own path).
• Circle represents the Circle of Life.
• Center of Circle represents the Eternal Fire.
• Eagle flying toward East is symbol of strength,
  endurance, vision Great symbol of Mastery!

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Medicine Shield Possibilities

• Three personally important people
• Place providing security
• Two enjoyable activities
• Three words student would like to have said about
  him/her
• Personality traits of which student is proud

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Pet Nature Therapy to Build Mastery

• Caring for animals builds self-esteem
  confidence.
• Positive correlation between presence of a dog in
  lives of students their success.
• Keeping pets in classroom enhances self-esteem.
• Adolescent self-esteem enhanced by owning pet.
• Animals motivate learning.
• Unconditional acceptance provides sense of worth.
• Gardening produces items to share pride.
• Naming local birds is a cognitive skill, which
  can be shared with others and bring self-esteem.

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The Need for Independence

• Native American practice of encouraging children
  to make decisions, solve problems, be
  responsible, by adults who model and teach
  responsible behavior. Produces children who feel
  respected powerful.
• Students who feel strong independent have no
  need to disobey in order to demonstrate
  independence or to bully for respect or power.
• Counselors teach self-management recognition
  management of emotions, behaviors, thoughts with
  group activities in which students decide on
  rules, procedures, activities.

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Native American Counseling Activities

• Renaming student with animal/nature name denoting
  values of strength, courage
• Harmony Circle harmony independence
• Child selects instrument, follows leader who
  establishes rhythm, improvises song
• Cooperation harmony are discussed as well as
  importance of each person
• Medicine Bag-special gift from Mother Earth
• Decorate Fill with symbol of special talents.

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Pet Nature Therapy to Build Independence

• Caring for animals gives sense of control
  responsibility.
• Walking pet on leash setting limits
• Students who learn to manage pets can be more
  assertive with peers develop self-respect,
  independence.
• Student who decides object of nature to bring to
  session where to walk outside develops
  self-management autonomy.

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The Need for Generosity

• Native American youth prove virtue by helping
  others Power/purpose is shown by contributing to
  others lives.
• Counselor provides opportunities to build
  altruism, empathy, caring.
• Group exercises Passing the talking stick.
• Stick find the group in nature walk
• Students decorate the stick
• Builds trust, cooperation, closeness
• Teaches generosity of the Earth.

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The Gift Exercise

• Teaches the Generosity of the Earth.
• Students search outside for something special.
• Students bring object to group talk about the
  objects why special.
• Reminded to thank Mother Earth for sharing this
  special gift with them importance of
  environmental awareness.

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Give Away Exercise

• Honor others for their assistance achievements.
• Promote sharing of materials self.
• Students make token of appreciation to another
  group member, then give it away, as reminder that
  his/her efforts are appreciated.

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Using Animals and Nature to Promote Generosity

• Students develop self-esteem when they give of
  themselves to animals who need care love.
• Animals used as vehicle to teach sharing.
• Sharing flowers/vegetables from own garden gives
  opportunity for joy of generosity praise.
• Animals nature provide volunteer projects.
  Pressing flowers for give-away crafts - Sr.
  Citizens. Generosity of animals/nature
  emphasized.
• N.A. belief in stewardship of Nature is
  emphasized.

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Native American Counseling Activities

• Renaming student with animal/nature name denoting
  values of strength, courage
• Harmony Circle-harmony independence
• Child selects instrument, follows leader who
  establishes rhythm, improvises song
• Cooperation harmony are discussed as well as
  importance of each person
• Medicine Bag-special gift from Mother Earth
• Decorate Fill with symbol of special talents

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Group Activities Techniques

• The Talking Circle
• Reminder of interrelationships with one another
  world
• Coming together respect, complete acceptance
• Talking stick- represents truth understanding
  as powerful agents of learning, change, growth.
• Speaking from the heart and listening to
  others.
• Taking a nature walk to let a stick find the
  group.
• Each member contributes to the stick
• Builds trust, cooperation, closeness.

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Conclusion

• Need for connection is deeply rooted
• Neurologically, emotionally, socially
• Ancient wisdom of the Native Americans can serve
  as vehicle for Individual Psychology
  counselor/educator to promote social interest
• Harmony Interrelatedness of the Native American
  philosophy has potential to assist students to
  reconnect to society, nature, themselves.

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www.youthlight.com
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Darline Hunter, Ed. D.Hunter _at_ uhcl.edu