"Calling the Spirit Back:" Spiritual Needs Among Great Plains American Indians

American Indians (AIs) are disproportionately affected by serious illness such as cancer. Colonization, cultural genocide, and trauma have adversely affected AIs' ability to attain health and well-being, and in many cases led to the loss of the right to practice traditional ceremonies and rituals. Still many AIs describe well-being as being rooted in spirituality.

The purpose of this project was to learn about the perspectives of AI cancer survivors, caregivers, and Tribal leaders and healers specific to spirituality while on the cancer journey.

Qualitative interviews and Indigenous talking circle methodologies were used to explore AIs cancer survivors, caregivers, and Tribal leaders and healers' perspectives on spirituality while on the cancer journey. A data analysis team consisting of AI and non-AI members analyzed the narrative data.

Qualitative analysis of interviews and talking circles revealed 4 major themes related to spirituality: the chasm of colonialism, coexistence of Traditional and Christian religions, calling the Spirit back, and prayer as sacred energy.

It is critical that clinicians caring for AIs with serious illness seek to understand their patients' spiritual beliefs about disease treatment and death and work with them and their families to support quality of life throughout their illness journey. In addition, clinicians must recognize the systemic racism inherent in our healthcare systems, and dismantle cultural clashes and bias for all patients, particularly AIs, who have long suffered from poorer health outcomes.