Balancing Culture and Professional Education: American Indians/Alaska Natives and the Helping Professions

Historically, education has often been equated with assimilation for American Indian students. Today many students seek education in the helping professions so they can take the best of Western ways of helping back to their cultural communities without losing the best of their own traditions. Little research has explored the conflicts that hinder or the support mechanisms that help American Indians/Alaska Natives in professional education. This research examined the experiences of 132 American Indians/Alaska Natives with training in social work, nursing, and psychology. The respondents were asked about cultural content in their training and support mechanisms and challenges they experienced as indigenous people during their professional education. The voices of these helping professionals reflect a mixture of problems and hope. Faculty and administrators can take this information and use it to enhance their programs and to counteract the struggles of future students.