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TULSA, OK - The "American Indian Decision to Survive" program for Indian Tribes, developed by the Tulsa Area American Red Cross Chapter, has been approved for use nationally. The 3 day program is designed to help teachers learn how to overcome traditional tribal beliefs, that are believed to be one of the reasons why American Indians are rated as high risk for AIDS.

The Special Programs Coordinator of the Tulsa Red Cross Chapter, Danette McIntosh, said the program has been under development for several years in Tulsa, has had trial runs in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma and has just recently been approved for nationwide use. McIntosh said that at least 200 cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported among Oklahoma Indians, which accounts for only about 6 percent of all Oklahoma AIDS cases that have been reported.

According to McIntosh, the program integrates Indian traditions and attempts to tread carefully over sensitive cultural issues. "Within the Indian community, in some areas, sex is not talked about. It's not appropriate," McIntosh, a member of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, said. "In some areas, talking about illnesses is to bring that illness onto that person."

Barbara Williams of Tahlequah, who took the 3 day course, agreed that tribal customs can make it difficult to explain HIV. Williams provides AIDS education in the 14 counties served by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. "In the Cherokee language there are not even any words to say the words we need to say to explain the disease", she said.

Social and economic conditions can also play a part in inhibiting AIDS education, McIntosh said. "When the main concern in that community is whether there's milk and bread on their table -- not AIDS, -- it's not way up there on the top of their concerns."

McIntosh explained that the curriculum emphasizes respect for those who might take offense by the terminology used and instructs AIDS teachers to speak of the history of Indians being killed by other diseases. The course also teaches the incorporation of Indian beliefs by way of legends.

Contact information for the:

Amercian Red Cross - Tulsa Area Chapter
10151 E. 11th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128
Phone: 918/831-1197
Fax: 918/831-1134

Related URL's:

Amercian Red Cross - Tulsa Area Chapter home page!

American Red Cross Statewide HIV/AIDS Networks
Address correspondence to: American Red Cross,
Statewide HIV/AIDS Network Coordinator