For this forum students select one topic from the following list as the subject of their initial post. There are 32 various ideas and subjects listed here, which are related to the chapter. Instructions: select one topic from the approved list, research it in the textbook and online (using reliable internet sources). place the topic name at the top of the initial post compose an initial post of 300 words or more. Don't forget to list the sources used. ● Chapter 5 ~ Discussion Board TOPIC list Native Americans ● reply to two classmates with 150 words or more. Reply posts are information-filled. They are not merely confirmation or restatements of information in the initial post. Tips for success: Students are encouraged pick a unique and individual topic. This earns best scores. If three people have already posted on a topic, a fourth post is redundant, and may not earn full credit. ● It is recommended to compose your research in a word-processing type document (MSWord) to assist with spelling and word count. However, avoid the temptation to upload your research as an attached document. You will lose points! We are trying to avoid that extra mouse click. Make sure your post appears in the message-box window. Reminder: graded discussion boards are worth 20 total points That is: initial posts earn 10 points, and each reply (2 required) post earns 5 points. See the syllabus for full details. Initial Post Topic: Who are the Native Americans? Where did they come from and when? How many are there now? Classmates to reply to: Classmate 1: Native Americans: Food and Health For Native Americans, food plays a large role in holistic health. Many Native Americans today still use plants and foods for medicinal purposes. One food used across different tribes and Native cultures was corn. Navajo women consumed blue cornmeal to aid lactation after giving birth while Pueblo women used corn ear smut to help with diarrhea. Corn was also used during healing ceremonies as it was believed to help prevent further illness. Native Americans used certain plants with psychedelic effects to help with pain management and hypnosis. Southwestern Native Americans were known to ingest parts of the peyote cactus to induce hallucinations. Native Americans in present-day California would use poppies to help with toothaches, as they contained opium. The Native American diet is also composed of many health-promoting foods and practices. Berries, apples, peppers, squash, corn, beans, and nuts were staples in many dishes. The Native American diet has also been seen to promote good health, as many of its staple meals include ingredients low in fat, yet rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. A study published by the National Library of Medicine investigated the Indigenous diet and its health benefits. This study found that "Beyond their antioxidant potential, the bioactive compounds of many traditional food plants also have other NCD (noncommunicable chronic diseases) -linked health benefits such as antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antidyslipidemic properties, and microbiome-supporting benefits for gut health ." (Sarkar, Dipayan et al.) This study also found that other aspects of the traditional Native American lifestyle contributed to good health. These researchers credited the physical activity and low-stress lifestyles of pre-20th century Native Americans to their wellness. Sources: Kittler, Pamela Goyan, et al. "Food and Culture." eTextbook: Food and Culture, 2017, ebooks.cenreader.com/#!/reader/a6221fb7-87bc-4a1b-bad9- 51d9515e78fc/page/4366066460a00da5267d1a247c7e1604. Sarkar, Dipayan et al. "Food Diversity and Indigenous Food Systems to Combat Diet-Linked Chronic Diseases." Current developments in nutrition vol. 4,Suppl 1 3- 11. 2 Sep. 2019, doi:10.1093/cdn/nzz099 Classmate 2: Chapter 5 - Alcoholism among Native Americans In the textbook, it stated "the rate for alcohol-related deaths is more than eight times that of the general U.S. population” drew me into the topic of Alcoholism among Native Americans. That is a statistic which is clearly based on data but, what can be the underlying factors? To understand the problem, we must go back hundreds years to understand the historical context. The American Indians prior to the colonization of Europeans were naïve to effects of alcohol. Tribes produced weak beers and other fermented beverages which were drunk during ceremonial occasions only. The Europeans made distilled spirits and wine to the American Indians. The members had not experienced such beverages, and they enjoyed what they were given. The crafty Europeans then began to ply the tribes with their alcohol during "trade negotiations". The Europeans and particularly the adventurers had a lifestyle of heavy alcohol consumption when socializing. The more alcohol given to the American Indians, the better the trade deals for the Europeans. The tribes were helpless to impose moral and social codes upon their members because they enjoyed the effect of the alcohol. Coming into the present, the American Indians have been corralled into Reservations. Life is smaller with less working and social opportunities. Of course, drinking practices do vary greatly. This is due to the tribe's tolerance for anti- social behavior and the lifestyle of the reservation. Northern reservations have a much higher rate of incidence than the southern reservations. Men have double the rate of women of both alcoholism and alcohol-related deaths. American Indians do struggle with a high prevalence of alcohol abuse. That saddens me. So much of their struggles are as a result of our ancestor's actions. This idea of what is happening today, in so many ways, has a direct connection to our past. Personal note: Everything about this chapter was enlightening. I have always been a poor student of the American Indians. I do not know where I will find it but, I want to enjoy dinner at a Native American restaurant. Thank you for opening my eyes via the book and videos of their foods. Reference Beauvais, Fred. (1998). American Indians and Alcohol. Alcohol Health and Research World. National Institute of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761887/