ASK YOUR RELATIVE QUESTIONS

Tags: 07 - Physical Health, 08 - Sexual Health, 09 - Relationships, 10 - Mental Health

Dear auntie my uncle is going crazy and he is verbally abusive to my auntie and my first cousins. Im scared of it becoming physical . I want them to move over here with me and they do too . How do I get them away from this?

I want to first thank you for having the courage to write this question. It sounds like you care for your Auntie a lot. They are going to need your strength and compassion during this time. This question is a difficult question to answer. There are a lot of different and moving pieces here. People’s initial response is to go…

I have a lot of Indian in me I was wondering how to prove that I have it from both sides of my family

Great! What an amazing gift that your family had some information on what tribe you’re from. Keep asking questions, especially from the elders and I’m sure you’ll find some helpful information. Next thing, is to do your research: You can do an Internet search using your Tribes name and key words like: tribal clinic museums history community events visitor center…

How do you deal with drama i.e., friend’s not getting along or talking about you behind your back

Dear relative, I am really sorry to hear that you are experiencing drama with your friends and that they are talking about you behind your back. Our friends can bring joy into our lives. However, sometimes, our friends can also cause us a lot of stress. This is especially true if you have friends who tend to overreact to things.…

Hey Uncle, Is there any Native lead suicide prevention hotlines out there?

Unfortunately, there are no specific National Native led suicide prevention hotline numbers that I am aware of. We do understand that one is needed though. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide I would encourage you to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or a local hotline number if there is one in…

What is intimacy?

Intimacy is often found in relationships. Intimacy represents a close connection with another, rooted in trust, love, respect, comfort and safety. Without these seeds, it can be difficult for intimacy to grow. Looking at some of the forms of intimacy, there is sexual intimacy and non-romantic intimacy. Sexual intimacy is between two lovers. Sex can exist without intimacy, which can…

Why is there high rates of mental illness within the indigenous communities and what traditional and non-traditional ways can we combat it?

Dear Malia, What we know is that there is a strong connection between health disparities, including mental health issues, and the impact of colonization, primarily the impact of historical trauma on Tribal communities. Currently, Native American communities are looking to Traditional Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) and culture to address these conditions. It becomes complicated because there are so many Traditional Indigenous…

Dear Auntie, My family is falling apart due to the death of a baby in our family…

Dear relative, I am so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. Losing a child is a life-changing event. No matter the situation, a loss can be difficult to recover from physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is something no family should ever have to experience and yet it happens often. While you may have feelings of isolation or despair, please…

how can i manage my anger

Hey Uncle here! Short answer; practice, patience, understanding and a lifetime devotion to fighting a lifetime concern. This is a two part answer: Part 1: Identification. Begin to Identify why you are angry. Folk don’t always associate the underlying reasons for their anger. Anger is usually rooted in emotions like fear, pain, anxiety (worry), frustration, stress and depression. Though there…

Can cocaine hurt me?

It’s not unusual for people to feel confused about taking drugs. You might be feeling pressure from your friends or classmates, or you might be curious about what using cocaine would be like. While movies, music, and T.V. shows can make cocaine seem cool, fun, or even glamorous, there are also many negative side effects to cocaine use. Cocaine can…

What is “weRnative.org” about?

Hi Hannah! Thanks for writing in! We R Native is a health resource for Native youth. We want to make sure you have factual information on the topics you’re interested in. We want to help you live your best life possible and hope that we can help. What causes panic attacks? For your question about panic attacks, they are a…