SELECTED THESES ON THE CIRCUMPOLAR ARCTIC

Native healers have experienced many years of suppression by European-Americans who outlawed their traditional practices from the late 1800s to the 1970s. In spite of this, some of the practices have survived and growing interest in alternative medical practices should encourage mental health practitioners to learn about this often neglected form of healing. Alaskan Eskimo (Inupiat and Yup'ik) healing involves the understanding that treatment includes both mind and body and the Eskimo world-view of health and illness reflects the importance of living in total harmony with nature. The history of Eskimo traditional healing is reviewed and the implications of the Eskimo perspective in the treatment of Eskimo mental health clients are examined. Three fictional case studies are utilized to illustrate how mental health professionals might implement an integrated approach to treating Eskimo clients using Eskimo healers as a resource.'