Individuals on the Wind River Reservation Receiving Services

An essential tool for supporting Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone participants is to learn about their culture and tribal connections. Think back to Module 1 and the aspects of identity in providing person-centered plans of care. Asking tribal members to tell stories about their situation is a good way to get an overview of their social environment. Ask them to pinpoint significant changes will help provide context to their story. Tribal members are the experts in their own lives. Although tribal members speak English, there are language differences. For instance, there is no word for disability or transition planning; however, tribal members and families support one another in transitions without using the terminology. Therefore, listening is one of the best ways to provide services to participants living on the Wind River Reservation.

Eastern Shoshone Tribe Logo Northern Arapaho Tribe Logo

Support Strategies

Spend time learning about the tribe of your participant. The Wyoming PBS Education Collection has multiple videos focused on Wyoming Native American Studies, with videos specific to Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho.
Read the summary of Considerations for Improving Services for Native American/American Indian Individuals with Disability and Mental Health Concerns.
The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center provided a webinar on American Indian/Alaska Native Perspectives on Mental Health, Disability, and a Greater Understanding of Native Culture.

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