Healing From the Ground Up

Traditional and Pharmaceutical Medicines: A Community Comparison

Kyla J. Trujillo

San Felipe Pueblo

Fig. 2. Trujillo, Kyla. “Graduation Picture”. 16 March 2026.

Fig. 1. San Felipe - Home Logo, Pueblo of San Felipe, 2019

Pueblo de Cochiti. “Front Page - Pueblo De Cochiti.” Pueblo De Cochiti, 12 Aug. 2025, cochiti.org.

Fig. 3. Duran, Jenna "Birthday Party". 1 April 2012

Kyla Trujillo SHP Presentation (2).webm

Identity - Connection

How Place Names Impact the Way We See Landscape

By: B.Toastie

Toastie, B. "How Place Names Impact the Way We See Landscape". High Country News. 1, May, 2022, pp.1-7. HCN https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-lanscape/print_view

In the article "How Place names impact the way we see landscape", written by B. Toastie. Really goes into dept about the names of historical places, changing the way it was meant to be remembered by. Such as cultural sites like the Measuring Worm Stone, that was later changed to El Capitan. The reason why this name sparked negative emotion was because El Capitan was a name created by the Mariposa Battalion. Which was an Indian killing militia. Such a cultural mountain should not be named under the remembrance of horrible history. The author used this event as an example to show the effects of how places names can perceive our perspectives about that place. As well as naming sites after colonizers and powerful people from the past will remind people of past trauma they intended to leave behind. Giving more power to people who have died, and that power later being misused or misdirected to change the past and cover up their actions.

Fig.4. The Time Capsules of Denver’s East High School | History Colorado. 8 Aug. 2025, www.historycolorado.org/story/2025/08/08/time-capsules-denvers-east-high-school.

And Then I Went to School

By: Joe Suina

Suina, Joe. "And then I went to School" ; Memories of a Pueblo childhood. New Mexico Journal of Reading, 1985, 5(2).

This article of "And then I went to School", written by Joe Suina, really highlights the beauty of his culture and practices I knew as a child. But through time came assimilation and the author began to talk about his experiences with boarding school and how those effects changed his community and identity. Growing up in his community of Cochiti Pueblo, he knew at a young age the value of his people and the importance of his culture. Through his grandmother's teachings, he understood how to appreciate life and knew the feeling of being part of a community, as it gave him a sense of belonging. But "when school started" he was then introduced to strange surroundings, the new ways of time, and speaking of a foreign language. These new ways of the whiteman's views felt strange and overwhelming. He feared he was being drifted away from his culture and began to compare and question his own views of his culture.

Fig 5. Syilx Okanagan Nation – Okanagan Nation Alliance. syilx.org/about-us/syilx-nation.

Sharing One Skin: Okanagan Community

By: Jeannette Armstrong

Armstrong, Jeannette. "Sharing One Skin": The Okanagan Community". pp 460 - 470 in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds.) The Case against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.

In this article written by Jeannette Armstrong, chapter 39 of "Sharing One Skin", it emphasizes the key differences between the Okanagan views of community and self identity, to the views of the dominant society. The Okanagan people believed a whole person is identified as having four main capacities that operate together. Those include the physical self, emotional self, the thinking self, and the spiritual self. Without these four capacities, along with not having a community or family is seen to be, truly not human. But throughout the article, she also accentuates the reasons as to why people can disconnect with their community, one of those reasons being technology.

History

Fig. 6. Trujillo, Kyla. “Trip to Woods”. 1 October 2024.

Smith, Charles. "Native American History: A Tle of Medicine." The Differential, 10 Jan. 2017, www.thedifferentialdx.com/native-american-history-a-tale-of-medicine.

Native American History: A Tale of Medicine

By: Charles Smith

In Charles Smith’s article “Native American History: A Tale of Medicine,” he explores the remarkable achievements of Native American medicine during European colonization. Despite facing harsh treatment, Native Americans made significant contributions to the field of medicine. Many medicines used today have Native American origins, although often enhanced by modern techniques. One example is foxglove, which is used to treat heart failure. The author also highlights the crucial role of pharmacology in both historical and contemporary medicine, emphasizing that the field would be incomplete without Native American physicians. Susan La Flesche Picotte and Carlos Montezuma were two influential Native American physicians mentioned in the article, who played pivotal roles in shaping modern medicine. The article details their contributions and the impact they had on improving medical practices.

Fig. 7. Trujillo, Kyla. “Science Field Trip”. 12 October 2024.

ThemeZaa."Native American Medicine-a Disappearing Science." Muwekma,muwekma.org/blog/2022/July/native-american-medicine-a-disappearing-science.html

Native American Medicine-A Disappearing Science

By: Muwekma Ohlone Tribe

Throughout history, European colonization has affected the ways Native Americans use medicine. The article “Native American Medicine - A Disappearing Science,” published by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, describes these impacts. Traditional medical practices performed by Native Americans have increasingly been forgotten due to the assimilation of modern medicine. Many Native Americans were exposed to diseases more severe than those they had previously encountered. These diseases, brought by European settlers, had no known remedies at the time, forcing Native Americans to abandon traditional practices and become dependent on modern medicine. The author also states that the use of Native American natural medicines can still be beneficial today. Many modern medicines no longer contain natural ingredients, and Native Americans can once again contribute their knowledge. The article concludes with the statement, “Times have changed and Native Americans no longer have to be forced to live by the restrictions of the European settlers, and can continue to learn their medicines to increase their culture,” a quote that emphasizes healing and growth.

Fig. 8. Trujillo, Kyla. “Washington”. 14 February 2024.

Policies and Indian Boarding Schools - Native American Rights Fund" Native American Rights Fund,24,Oct.24,narf.org/healing-from-boarding-school-policy-2.

The Impact of Federal and State policies and Indian Boarding Schools

By: Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

The article published by the Native American Rights Fund, titled “The Impacts of Federal and State Removal Policies and Indian Boarding Schools,” emphasizes the effects of boarding schools designed specifically for Native American students. Many of these effects left communities without children, creating worry and fear as parents wondered whether their children were alive. The boarding schools enforced strict rules that required Native American children to assimilate to Christian ways, forcing them to abandon their culture and language. Punishments for breaking these rules were severe and sometimes resulted in death. The purpose of this article is to emphasize that these events did occur in American history and to show how much of what is now the United States was built upon such practices.

Current State of the Issue

NIH Launches Program to Advance Research Led by Native American Communities on Substance Use and Pain

By: National Institute of Health

Fig.9 NIH.NIH Launches Program to Advance Research Led by Native American Communities on Substance Use and Pain.2024,NIDA.nih.gov/news-events/news-release/2024/08/.com

Published in 2024, this article provides evidence of drug abuse, still being the leading cause of crisis in Native American communities. This is due to the prescribed drugs of opioid, and misinformation leading to addiction. NIH is aiming to launch to launch a research program regarding this issue. Their plan was to create a research center, in which it will be run by Native Americans, to conduct and create new proposed medicines. Medicines that are safe, non-addictive, and more natural. As of this year, the research program has spread widely to Native Alaskan communities, and is working to spread farther. The purpose of this was to fix a problem that destroyed Native' communities due to drug abuse, in which drug abuse occurs within pharmaceutical medicines. Throughout this article it stated facts of Native American deaths that happen yearly due to drug abuse. Being that in 202, the percentage of Native American deaths rated a 8.2%, where now in 2022, the rating increased up to 32.6%. This research program is to provide resources to Native Americans to help solve a crisis, and eventually evolve medicine.

The Psychedelic Succulent

By: Gabriela Galindo

Fig. 10. Kebec, Philomena, and Vanda Felbab-Brown. "Fentanyl Impact on Sept.2024.www.brookings.edu/articles/fentanyls-impact-on-native-american-communtites-and-paths-to-recovery

Mescaline finally getting a second shot? In this article published in 2023, Galindo talks of its importance towards the Native American Communities especially in the state of Colorado. Known to be a traditional herb used for traditional and spiritual healing, including being used in important rituals connecting to the spiritual world. However, the mescaline plant has been labeled to be a psychedelic succulent for a reason, known to be a dangerous drug with addictive and toxic ingredients. This is due to the current abuse pertaining to the mescaline plant since the 1800s to present day 2026. Being abused in ways for recreational abuse, and unethical use for research and science. When in reality the mescaline serves a greater purpose in it's responsibility to healing. This is why the state of Colorado is attempting to legalize the use of Mescaline in Native American and Alaskan Native clinics because of its medicinal usage and importance towards these indigenous communities.

Global Connections

Fig, 11. La.Mesa,C.,Ranalism,O.,Randriantseheno,L.N.,&Ruisuleo,G(2021).Natural Products from Madagascar Periwinkle.Molecules,26115,4507.https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154507

Natural Products from Madagascar: The Madagascar Periwinkle

By: Camillo La Mesa

The Madagascar periwinkle is a plant native to Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the Southeast coast of Africa. The article "Natural products from Madagascar: The Madagascar Periwinkle", emphasizes how Indigenous Malagasy people traditionally used the plant to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and respiratory health issues. Over time it's used spread to places like Norway, China, and other parts of Asia, as well as in the United States. In the 1950's researchers began studying the plant for diabetes, but instead discovered that it lowered white blood cells counts. This unexpected fishing between 1961 and 1963 led to one of its most significant contributions to modern medicine, being cancer therapy. The plant is a natural source of vinca alkaloids, which help stop cancer cells from dividing. These drugs became essential in the U.S hospitals for treating childhood leukemia and Hodgkin's disease. Although Madagascar has faced challenges with research funding, studies have continued in Canada and the U.S, and programs like the IMRA (Institut Malgache De Recherches Appliquées) a program in Madagascar who plays a part in continuing this research.

Fig. 12 Pandey, M.M. Rastogi. S., & Rawat. A.K.S. (2020). Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicines and Nutritional Supplementation. Evidence based complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020, 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/371327

Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation

By: M. Pandey

In this article "Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation", M.Pandey explains that Ayurveda is a traditional Indian System of medicine that has been practiced since around 500 B.C. The term Ayurvedic is a term known as "science of life", and focuses not only on medicine but also on diet and nutrition. Due to rising healthcare cost and affordability issues, there has been an increase of global interest in Traditional medicine, including Ayurvedic, especially in the United States. Ayurveda, had been integrated into Western settings as complementary and alternative medicine known as (CAM). It is used to help manage conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, and food allergies, and includes the use of plants and spices like turmeric for immune support. In 2020, more than 70% of India's population returned to using Ayurveda, and today about 1.3 million practitioners in India use traditional medicine systems. Before in 2014, only 25% of people were using traditional medicine. SInce 2020 more than 13,000 more plants were discovered. Research and discoveries about medicinal plants have increased over time.

Fig. 13. Koithan, M, & Wright, C (2017). Promoting Optimal Health with Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 6(4), 306-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2010.01.013

The Science of Healing Through Traditional Chinese Medicine

By: Mary Koithan

In "The Science of Healing Through Traditional Chinese Medicine" by Mary Koithan, the author explains that many treatments often beloved to be Western in origin actually come from Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). She describes how practices such as acupuncture, based on the concept of energy flow within the body, were once viewed as unnatural or unscientific in the United States, but were later accepted an integrated into healthcare beginning in the 1950's. The article emphasizes the richness and depth of TCM, nothing that has survived for more than 3,600 years despite historical challenges such as colonization and cultural suppression. Koithan also highlights how herbal remedies from TCM have contributed to hundreds of modern drug discoveries, including artemisinin derived from sweet wormwood, which became a major treatment for malaria. Through these examples, she demonstrates the lasting global influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine on modern healthcare. As of 2016, U.S is bridging traditional Chinese Medicine with Western ways of healing. A step closer to a representation of unity and respect between both cultures of medicine.

Research Log 5

Fig. 14. Trujillo, Kyla. “Breakfast”. 1 April 2021.

Attaching Your Heart

By: Carnel Chosa

One who comes to mind when thinking of someone who is a positive contributor to my community is my grandpa, Phillip Duran. Growing up I’ve always noticed how much he participated in cultural dances and practices to the point he is well respected in the community. He is a speaker for the people when it comes to speaking our language, learning the culture, valuing identity, and most importantly having good faith. Through his lessons and teachings, he always reminds us to place your heart and soul into everything you do, this includes praying, dancing, singing, etc. When you attach your heart to your culture you are also connected with your community, because of this you see yourself one with the land and our culture. You begin to open your eyes to things you didn’t understand before.

As stated by Chosa “Serve as guides for moral direction for the community collective” (168). Well stated by the author, which I believe is a good reflection of my grandpa. He guides our community down the path to value culture and respect one another. Our culture thrives because we allow each other to continue the traditions without downgrading people when mistakes occur. He is a role model of a pueblo man who respects himself and his community, and people will strive to gain that aspect of life.

Personal Connection

Pueblo people have practiced traditional medicine for hundreds of years. We still continue to practice it today, but it is important to preserve our knowledge on this certain practice especially when it comes down to healing. I want to bring awareness to traditional healing practices in Pueblo Communities because living in a modern world it can be difficult to obtain. So with my project, I draw a personal connection specifically to medicine because I want to study medicine as I grow older. But in order to study medicine on Western perspective, I must first learn how my community views medicine so then I know want to fix it or what to continue manufacturing. The education that I pick up in college, I will bring back home and ensure my community continues to practice traditional healing as well as provide them safer medicines.

Action Plans

Citations

Galindo, Gabriela. “The Mass Co-opting of Native Medicines and Traditions.” Boulder Weekly, 11 May 2023, archives.boulderweekly.com/opinion/the-mass-co-opting-of-native-medicines-and-traditions.

Kebec, Philomena, and Vanda Felbab-Brown. "Fentanyl Impact on Sept.2024.www.brookings.edu/articles/fentanyls-impact-on-native-american-communtites-and-paths-to-recovery

Koithan, M, & Wright, C (2017). Promoting Optimal Health with Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 6(4), 306-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2010.01.013

La.Mesa,C.,Ranalism,O.,Randriantseheno,L.N.,&Ruisuleo,G(2021).Natural Products from Madagascar Periwinkle.Molecules,26115,4507.https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154507

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “NIH Launches Program to Advance Research Led by Native American Communities on Substance Use and Pain.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15 Aug. 2024, nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2024/08/nih-launches-program-to-advance-research-led-by-native-american-communities-on-substance-use-and-pain#:~:text=Many%20Tribal%20Nations%20have%20developed,data%20in%20local%20decision%2Dmaking.

Pandey, M.M. Rastogi. S., & Rawat. A.K.S. (2020). Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicines and Nutritional Supplementation. Evidence based complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020, 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/371327

Policies and Indian Boarding Schools - Native American Rights Fund" Native American Rights Fund,24,Oct.24,narf.org/healing-from-boarding-school-policy-2.

Shumate, Author Abby. The Unrecognized Effects of the Opioid Crisis on Native Americans – UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog. 27 Mar. 2024, sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2024/03/27/the-unrecognized-effects-of-the-opioid-crisis-on-native-americans.

Smith, Charles. "Native American History: A Tale of Medicine." The Differential, 10 Jan. 2017, www.thedifferentialdx.com/native-american-history-a-tale-of-medicine.

ThemeZaa."Native American Medicine-a Disappearing Science." Muwekma,muwekma.org/blog/2022/July/native-american-medicine-a-disappearing-science.html

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