Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to distinguish the various types of traditional Native tobacco and their uses. Identify the different tribal practices and history around tobacco, and compare commercial tobacco products to traditional Native tobacco.
Abstract: Plants have played a vital role in the cultural and spiritual lives of Native American peoples for thousands of years. These include a number of plants commonly referred to as "traditional tobacco."
This session will allow participants to learn about various tribes and their traditional tobacco through the sharing of tobacco stories, traditional tobacco samples, mapping of tribal regions, and discussions on traditional tobacco practices. Historical information will be presented on why commerical tobacco is sometimes used in place of traditional tobacco, and how and why this practice came to be. Participants will be able to compare traditional and commercial tobaccos and understand the differences.
Workshop participants will leave with a greater understanding of the cultural relevance of tobacco within Native communities. It is our hope that workshop participants will also begin to recognize the importance of culturally inlcusive materials and language in tobacco abuse prevention messages.
Back to Tobacco's Journey: Native American Traditional Tobacco
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Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health