The effect of selected macro forces on the contemporary social construction of American Indian ethnic identity.

Abstract

This article explains selected historical acts and events that continue to impact comtemporary Native American ethnic identity, social policy, and social services delivery. Although cultural competence is increasingly encouraged in social work education, the events of history usually do not appear as partial explanations for current phenomena. For those who work with Native American populations, understanding this history is a critical piece in the process of acquiring cultural competence. These selected historical events provide at least partial understanding of some contemporary issues which are sometimes presented to social workers and other social services professionals who work with Native populations.