O'odham Himdag as a Source of Strength and Wellness Among the Tohono O'odham of Southern Arizona and Northern Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

The Tohono O'odham are fostering strength & wellness in their community by translating increased economic self-sufficiency & resources derived from gaming into social, health, & educational services which maintain their tribal traditions, thereby providing an effective path toward the maintenance of cultural identity, or O'odham Himdag. Cultural identity serves as a source of client strength & as a protective factor contributing to client wellness. O'odham Himdag describes a way of life, encompassing Tohono O'odham culture. This article is a theoretical exploration of O'odham Himdag as a path toward cultural identity among the Tohono O'odham of Southern AZ & Northern Sonora, Mexico. It addresses the importance of tribes developing their own services within tribal values & describes O'odham Himdag as a path to health & wellness, with practice examples drawn from the literature & interviews with mental health, health, & lay practitioners belonging to & serving the Tohono O'odham. 50 References. Adapted from the source document.