University INHS 200 Final Exam: Indigenous Health and Wellness Course

This document presents a comprehensive solution to the INHS 200 final exam, focusing on Indigenous health and wellness. The exam consists of three parts: multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and an essay section. The multiple-choice section covers fundamental concepts related to Indigenous identity, the Sacred Tree, and the Medicine Wheel. The short answer section requires students to address topics such as smudging, pipe ceremonies, medicine picking, oral communication, and the evolution of Indigenous identity in relation to colonialism. Students are expected to apply course readings, videos, and teachings to demonstrate their understanding of the course material. The essay section asks students to analyze the impact of specific course resources, discuss challenging scenarios, and explore differing views presented during the course. The exam emphasizes the application of course concepts and critical thinking skills to address issues related to Indigenous health and well-being. The solution provides detailed answers to the questions, demonstrating a strong understanding of the course content and the ability to apply the material in a practical way.

INHS 200 Final Exam
Instructor: Cody Lloyd
Due April 7, 2020, at 7:30 PM
Part 1
Multiple Choice (20%)
Part 2
Short Answer (40%)
Part 3
Essay (40%)

Student Name: _________________________________________
Student ID #:___________________________________________
Submit your exam on UR Courses under Week 14 – Final Examination using the TurnItIn
INHS 200 Final Examination assignment drop box. Please ensure your Short Answer and
Essay answers are double spaced with 12-point font. Formal APA citations are not required,
however, if you are referring to a specific Elder, teaching, or a reading/video from class, please
state which resource you are referring to so that I understand how/what you are incorporating
into your understanding of this course. For example, “In the video from Elder Betty’s summer
medicine walk…” or “In the reading from Macqueen on Aboriginal student success…”.
Plagiarized work will result in a grade of zero.
Best of luck on your exam and thank you for your contribution to our class learning
environment.
INHS 200 Final Exam Part 1
Multiple Choice (20%)
Choose the best answer by using HIGHLIGHT or BOLD. Each question is worth 2 marks for a
total of 20 marks.
1. According to the Sacred Tree, a person’s identity consists of:
a) Body awareness, and self-determination
b) Cultural connectedness and geography
c) Race and class
d) All of the above
2. According to the Sacred Tree, Self-determination is the ability to:
a) Succeed at all things
b) Engage in difficult challenges
c) Create harmony
d) Use volition to develop your potential
3. According to the Sacred Tree, Self-concept is the way you:
a) Think about yourself and your potential
b) Feel about yourself and your ability to grow and change
c) Are able to work in groups.
d) All of the above
4. The code of ethics (in the Sacred Tree) will help us find happiness and well-being if we live
our lives according to its teachings. The code of ethics describes what wisdom means:
a) Between mother earth and the sacred tree

b) In relationship between individuals, family and the community
c) According to what the grandmothers have said
d) When conducting ceremony
5. According to Elder Betty’s Medicine Wheel teaching life-givers, turtles, fish, and frogs all
have this in common:
a) They have eggs.
b) They are green.
c) They can swim.
d) They live on Earth.
6. The Sacred Tree represents:
a) Life
b) Cycles of time
c) The earth
d) All of the above
7. According to Elder Betty, the term “Medicine Wheel” is a European term.
a) True
b) False
8. According to Elder Betty, a medicine wheel is always symmetrical.
a) True
b) False
9. According to Elder Betty, it is okay to eat your spirit animal.
a) True
b) False
10. According to Elder Betty, all traditional medicines (including those toxic to humans) have a
purpose.
a) True
b) False
INHS 200 Final Exam Part 2
Short Answer (40%)
You will answer any 4 of the 7 questions (approximately 1-1.5 page double spaced). You can
use point form. Type your answer underneath each question. Formal APA citations are not
required, however, if you are referring to a specific Elder, teaching, or a reading/video from
class, please state which resource you are referring to so that I understand how/what you are
incorporating into your understanding of this course. For example, “In the video from Elder
Betty’s summer medicine walk…” or “In the reading from Macqueen on Aboriginal student
success…”. Apply as many course readings, videos, and teachings as necessary to

demonstrate your understanding of the course and ability to apply the material in a
practical way. Each question is worth 10 marks for a total of 40 marks.
1. Explain the process of smudging OR exchanging tobacco, what it means, why
it is important to Indigenous peoples’ health, and an example of how the
ceremony may be incorporated into a Western-dominant setting such as a
hospital or university.
Smudging is the process in which dry sage leaves are burned. The smoke produced is
believed in some ancient American cultures that it carries negative energy to the greater
supernatural being.
The process of smudging is a multistep procedure that ought to be followed.
1. Have a goal for smudging
2. Clean the place around you; for example when you are indoors.
3. Tie your hair, if you have some long hair, and wear comfortable
clothes.
4. Take the sage, Light the thickest part and blow out the fire once it
starts producing smoke.
5. Depending on what was the initial goal of sagging, you can move
the smoke over the body part or each room of the house intended
to be saged.
According to Edler Lawrence Wells from video, smudging is a form of healing prayer
done. It can be done on any part of a body to produce a result depending on the goal intended.
Smudging, for example, can be done in the eyes. It is believed to bring a clearer vision when one
sees.
The existence of smudging ceremonies and the importance it has to the natives should not
be ignored. Smudging should be included in the modern ways of disease treatments. Children,

right from their young age, should be thought about smudging and the importance it has to them.
This will ensure that the culture is not lost along the way.
2. Choose an event, symbol, or protocol in a pipe ceremony, describe what it
means, why it is important, and what role ceremony plays in Indigenous
peoples’ health.
The ceremony is only conducted by the pipe carrier. The pipe carrier is the only holder of
the pipe and is the one to carry out most of the events in the pipe ceremony. According to
Michael Doucette's video on the pipe carrier, he should have undergone some time fasting. The
fasting period is used to reflect on his past and make peace with it. He thereafter will be the
responsible pipe bearer of the community and should be available at any time of need. The pipe
is always kept in a secret bundle which is only opened by the pipe bearer and only his helper.
This event shows the importance of the pipe to the community. It is one sacred thing that
should be valued. According to Michael Doucette, the pipe bearer should treat it with respect just
as he treats his wife. A great sense of responsibility is also needed from the pipe bearer and
should be available at any point he is needed.
The fire in the pipe is believed to be the same as that of the sun. It is, therefore thought to
be a source of life. This ceremony is used to make peace with the creator and other supernatural
beings; earthly and spiritual realms. It is used to heal the indigenous through name changes. The
names of the sick are changed to bring both physical and psychological healing to them. The
indigenous people can, therefore, come to the ceremony and leave when they are full of health
and also carrying new names.
3. Explain the process of medicine picking, what it means to have a relationship
with sacred plants, why that is important, and an example of how medicine

picking may be incorporated into a Western-dominant setting such as a
hospital or university.
Medicine picking is gathering medicinal products from specific sacred plants known to
be therapies for some diseases. Different parts of trees are used; barks, leaves, roots, and fruits.
The barks are pealed from the trees. Medicinal parts are found under the outer bark, in the thin
living layer of tissue called the cambium. Barks are chosen from the trees which have never
fallen or ever been cut. Leaves are collected mostly before summer directly from the sacred
trees.
The significance of sacred trees to humans is invaluable. For a long time, humans have
had a strong belief that some trees have a lot of importance to them. This runs across their
physical, social and even spiritual aspects of life. The sacred trees are taken care of and protected
from destruction. The identity and names of these trees have been passed down to children
through fairy tales given by their parents. In most cases, these trees invoke a very powerful sense
of spirituality. They act as bridges that connect them to their creator. They are ways of
communicating with their supernatural beings. For long, these relationships are maintained
strong.
Medicinal products from plants can still be used for modern medicine. These products
can be collected from the sacred plants and be used to process medicines after industrial
modifications into a final product.
4. Describe 2-3 benefits or downsides of oral communication in relation to
Indigenous peoples’ health, explain why oral communication is important to
Indigenous people, and an example of how Indigenous oral communication
could be incorporated into a Western-dominant setting such as a hospital or
university.

Oral communication is a key way to pass messages to indigenous people. It has a lot of
benefits with its effective use. First, it avoids miscommunication. In most cases, information is
passed without the recipient getting the full information passed. Miscommunication is evident
when the recipient fails to act on instruction. Oral communication has a chance of clarification.
Most of those who are misinformed can, therefore, get clearer information from the message
giver. Miscommunication concerning health can bring harm to patients. Once clarity has been
sought, this can be avoided.
Oral communication has an easy to use benefit. It is easier for the care provider to give
information to the clients without any inconveniences. There is no cost incurred during oral
communication. This ensures that information concerning indigenous' people's health is well
passed to them. They also can pass much information about the self to the care providers.
Oral communication is important to Indigenous people because they can pass information
amongst themselves and also to others. Most of their ceremonies are in much need of
communication. Communications are done to their creator through said prayers. Through oral
communication, they also can pass information about their practices to their descendants and also
guests paying a visit to them.
The western world should not migrate into newer forms of communication but should
consider the old forms. Oral communication still holds some relevance in the fast-changing
world. Room to accommodate those clients who can only communicate orally should be
maintained.
5. Choose a student presentation that had an impact on you. Describe what
stood out for you, how it changed your view on the topic, and provide an

example of how the change in view might result in a change in your actions
going forward personally or professionally.
6. Describe a time during class where your views did not align with one of our
guest speakers. Tell me about the differing views, how you felt about the
difference, and what lesson you took from this experience.
7. Based on the teaching from Calvin Racette, choose 2 factors that make up
your identity, explain how they influence your identity, and how Indigenous
identity has evolved in relationship to the effects of colonialism.
INHS 200 Final Exam Part 3
Essay (40%)
You will answer any 2 of the 3 questions and write an essay (approximately 2-3 pages per
question). You can write in point form if you prefer. Formal APA citations are not required,
however, if you are referring to a specific Elder, teaching, or a reading/video from class, please
state which resource you are referring to so that I understand how/what you are incorporating
into your understanding of this course. For example, “In the video from Elder Betty’s summer
medicine walk…” or “In the reading from Macqueen on Aboriginal student success…”. Apply
as many course readings, videos, and teachings as necessary to demonstrate your
understanding of the course and ability to apply the material in a practical way. Each
question is worth 20 marks for a total of 40 marks.
1. Choose 3 of our course readings or videos that had the greatest impact on your
experience of this course. Explain the impact of each resource – How did they
change your experience of the course? How did the information connect to other
courses in your program or profession, past or present? Describe a challenging
scenario or task in your future profession or area of study where the course
reading or video might influence your view or reaction.
a) Michael Doucette video
Michael Doucette’s video about the pipe holders was knowledge full and had a great
impact on me during this course. It expanded my mind on how indigenous people value their
practices. Although at first, it seemed a too petty thing, the natives value it. The discipline of the
pipe bearers during fasting amused me. They hold such big respect in the community as a whole.
The procedure and protocols for conducting a pipe ceremony are eye-catching.

For so long, I have always ignored the fact that there are people who still hold on to their
cultural beliefs in the fast-changing world. We used to be told of such cultures in our childhood
but could not believe it. This has been an eye-opener for me. I should, in the future, not have the
assumption that we all live in a modern world. Their practices should be respected. In the future,
during my career practice, I should be in the knowledge of the importance of certain beliefs to
them and also the possibility of their healing through their practices.
My interaction with these people in the future will not be of surprise. Having the
experience to see them practice them or hear them talk about it will not be of many surprises. I,
therefore, will consider their opinions on the therapies they would want to undergo; whether
modern medicine or their won from sacred plants.
b) Edler Lawrence Wells video
Edler Lawrence Well’s video about smudging was also full of knowledge and
information. It was amazing to learn about the steps of smudging and the sole reasons to
do so. It was more evidence-based learning. The explanation by Edler was perfect and
easy to understand. The illustrative nature of the video made it easy to grasp.
The information is important, moving forward. I will, in future, not deny my native
clients to undergo smudging for healing. The natives hold on the great importance of this
practice to their health. It also broadened my knowledge of the existence of alternative
ways of healing away from modern medicine. Future conflicts concerning the choice of
native practices over modern medicine will be avoided.
My interaction with people who will be considering smudging for healing will be
easier. Clients may, in future forego modern medicines for smudging. This will not cause

much conflict to convince them otherwise. A firsthand experience if seeing such people
practice the same will be appreciated.
c) The Sacred Tree Textbook
The information found in the book was useful and full of knowledge. It was further
knowledge of the existence of some sacred trees which are valued by the communities.
People from native communities draw a lot of meaning from the trees. Although I before
thought that innate objects do not have meaning in human lives, this convinced me
otherwise.
The information sourced from this article will be useful in my future career. Some
of my clients, from the native communities, may consider treatment from the sacred trees.
This will not be of surprise to me. I will not be in the urge to convince them otherwise.
They may consider healing from the sacred trees and forego modern medicine. I will,
therefore, be on a neutral ground with it.
My view of people who value sacred trees will be positive. I will not, at any point,
consider them primitive people. They should be allowed to make decisions; whether to
seek modern medicine therapy or consider the sacred trees.
2. Choose Scenario A or B:
A) A Western University institution is experiencing high dropout rates of Indigenous
students who are feeling unwelcome and/or unsupported. Name 2 reasons why an
Indigenous student might feel unwelcome or unsupported in a Western university setting
and make 3 recommendations to address these reasons by utilizing the theory of Ethical
Space or Two-Eyed Seeing.
B) A Medical Clinic dominated by Western views is struggling to get Indigenous
patients to adhere to the Western treatment plans they have prescribed. Name 2
reasons why an Indigenous patient might not adhere to a Western treatment plan

and make 3 recommendations to address these reasons using the theory of Ethical
Space or Two-Eyed Seeing.
The two-eyed seeing theory is away trying to seek harmony in a fast-growing world
between the modern and the indigenous knowledge. Throughout time there have been vast
progress in medicine, nursing, and healthcare in general. This has seen the failure to
include indigenous knowledge in healthcare. This theory tries to bring consideration of
both scientific and indigenous knowledge. This is a key factor to consider in care to ensure
that health care is efficient and satisfactory to all. Many factors have, therefore played a
role in making indigenous people fail to adhere to Western treatment.
Reasons why an Indigenous patient might not adhere to a Western treatment plan.
Culture, history, psychological stress, and socioeconomic disadvantage interact
together to prevent them from adhering to western treatment. It is in their culture that
indigenous treatment is used to cure most of the diseases throughout the years. It is also an
introduction of psychological stress to these subjects by forcing them to adhere to a whole
new and strange thin, as they may perceive. They also do not any historical past of use of
the western treatment remedy. It is, therefore, an almost impossible thing to convince a
new generation to seek medical attention in modern clinics. The socioeconomic aspect of
their lives can also be a hindrance. In most cases, it may be expensive to seek modernized
healthcare attention. Most of the pharmaceutical products, for example, are so expensive
for them to afford.
The desire to maintain their cultural identity is another factor. Indigenous
communities have a distinct cultural heritage they can be identified with. Among the
factors building upon the identity is their vast indigenous knowledge. They have long

found medications and remedies for most of their illnesses without any scientific
knowledge. Their health-seeking behaviors are tied to their culture. Preservation of this
indigenous knowledge demands continuity of its use. This, therefore, makes them consider
indigenous treatment other than seeking medical attention in modern clinics.
Recommendations to address these reasons
The relationship between care providers and indigenous patients should be based on
mutual respect. The care providers should understand the existence of indigenous communities
amongst them. They should, at every point, be respected and taken care of accordingly. Care
should be given irrespective of their culture, socioeconomic status and also race. When a mutual
relationship has been built, both parties can, therefore, share their concerns comfortably without
fear of judgment. Care providers should be on neutral ground to accommodate their indigenous
knowledge about health.
Healthcare providers should work proactively with the indigenous communities to
address the gap in the healthcare system. There has always been a gap between modern
knowledge and indigenous knowledge. This has for long been ignored by the healthcare
providers. They should be at the forefront to address these gaps and find solutions on how to fill
them. A preformed mutual relationship between the healthcare givers and the patients will ease
care provision. Once the barriers have been discussed by both parties and acted upon, they will in
the future be avoided. The healthcare providers should, however, not ignore the role indigenous
knowledge play in care.
Indigenous people should receive culturally acceptable care and in their language. Some
of the care given to indigenous people seems to conflict with their culture. Modern medical

facilities should, therefore, note the conflicting points and avoid them at all costs. This will make
the indigenous people feel a sense of accommodation in modern care. The care given should also
be given in their language. This will facilitate efficient communication. It can be done through
the help of interpreters. This will bring a sense of inclusivity to the modern healthcare system.
3. Describe 3 similarities or differences between your own culture and the teachings
received by our Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, what challenges
these similarities or differences could arise if you were to work professionally
alongside the Elder or Knowledge Keeper in a Western setting, and problem solve
how you might navigate those challenges.

Reference
Bopp, J., & Bopp, M. (1989). The sacred tree. Lotus Press.