title: Toward a culturally informed rehabilitation treatment model for American Indian/Alaska Native veterans.
abstract: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have a long tradition of military service, allying with Western forces in North America since the 1700s. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that AI/AN veterans experience higher rates of overall disability and service-related disability than veterans of other races and ethnicities. It is not clear, however, that AI/AN veterans with disabilities are receiving effective, culturally informed rehabilitation services. This article examines the incidence of disability among contemporary AI/AN veterans, considers barriers to effective treatment, and points out model programs tailored to the particular needs of this population, with attention to the historical and cultural context of AI/AN military service.
authors.affiliation: a Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tovar
authors.affiliation: b George Warren Brown School of Social Work , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Patterson Silver Wolf
authors.affiliation: a Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D054521:Cultural Competency; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans
keywords: American Indians and Alaska Natives; PTSD; disability; disability models; ethnic minorities; rehabilitation; veterans