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Upon the Back of a Turtle: A Cross Cultural Training Curriculum for Federal Criminal Justice Personnel (Includes a Videotape)

NCJ Number
179169
Date Published
1998
Length
444 pages
Annotation
The materials and video of this curriculum are designed to assist Federal Government personnel in understanding the diversity within Indian communities and improve their abilities to provide culturally appropriate services to American Indian clients; specifically, the materials will assist Federal criminal justice personnel in responding appropriately to American Indian victims of crime and their families.
Abstract
The first training session provides an overview of the characteristics of "Indian country," followed by a session that presents a historical overview of Federal policies and events that have impacted Indian country. The next session provides a more detailed view of historical trauma for Indian tribes and the current impact. Topics include events that have contributed to the destruction of many tribal cultures, factors that contribute to victimization in Indian country, what children experienced in boarding schools, types of personalities attracted to Indian reservations, and mental health issues that affect American Indians. Remaining sessions focus on a history of Federal victim assistance services and programs in Indian country, issues and cultural considerations in the delivery of victim services in Indian country, and justice in Indian country. The trainer's agenda includes lecture presentation, objectives, activities for large and small groups, discussion questions, and information that relates to the training video for each section. Each module includes the "presentation information," which provides specific material on each topic to be covered during the session. Sample materials are provided to be used at the presenter's discretion. The 30-minute video contains information on cultural issues of Native Americans.