Killing Us Quietly

Native Americans and HIV/AIDS

Irene S. Vernon

Publication Year: 2001

Over the past five centuries, waves of diseases have ravaged and sometimes annihilated Native American communities. The latest of these silent killers is HIV/AIDS. The first book to detail the devastating impact of the disease on Native Americans, Killing Us Quietly fully and minutely examines the epidemic and its social and cultural consequences among three groups in three geographical areas. Through a series of personal narratives, the book also vividly conveys the terrible individual and emotional toll the disease is taking on Native lives.

Exploring Native urban, reservation, and rural perspectives, as well as the viewpoints of Native youth, women, gay or bisexual men, this study combines statistics, Native demography and histories, and profiles of Native organizations to provide a broad understanding of HIV/AIDS among Native Americans. The book confronts the unique economic and political circumstances and cultural practices that can encourage the spread of the disease in Native settings. And perhaps most important, it discusses prevention strategies and educational resources.

A much-needed overview of a national calamity, Killing Us Quietly is an essential resource for Natives and non-Natives alike.

Published by: University of Nebraska Press

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pp. ix-

List of Figures

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pp. xi-xii

Preface

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pp. xiii-xv

Several years ago I was funded by the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University to examine a Native American health issue. I had chosen AIDS because I was somewhat familiar with the topic....

Introduction: We are Needed to Keep the Circle Alive

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pp. 1-12

The devastating impact of introduced diseases on Native Americans is well known. European and African diseases, not warfare, caused the dramatic population drop from approximately five million Native people in 1492 to...

1. Native American Men and HIV/AIDS

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pp. 13-36

Gay/bisexual men, or two-spirits, have the highest infection rate among tribal people. The stories of three two-spirits, Tom, Jordan, and Stephen, illustrate many of the problems and concerns common to this group. They...

2. Native American Women and HIV/AIDS

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pp. 37-59

As a Native American woman and mother of a young teenage daughter, I have become personally concerned about the increase of AIDS among Native women and adolescents. My personal interest in stopping the spread of,,,

3. Native American Youth and HIV/AIDS

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pp. 60-80

Life for youth today is extremely difficult. They live in a world with increasing violence and poverty, and rising HIV infection. This chapter begins with the story of Mike, who was born into poverty and contracted HIV in his...

4. Native American Prevention

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pp. 81-100

Native ability to endure and persevere has been demonstrated throughout history. For more than five hundred years Native peoples have confronted and surmounted oppressive policies and cultural disruption, as well...

E-ISBN-13: 9780803202405
E-ISBN-10: 0803202407

Page Count: 147
Publication Year: 2001