AA
Alcoholics Anonymous, a very popular program dedicated to helping its members overcome alcoholism
Desert Storm
The war against Iraq, led by the United States and other coalition forces, conducted in 1990 and 1991 in response to Iraq's annexation of Kuwait.
DTs
Slang for delirium tremens, an effect of alcohol withdrawal. Better known as the 'shakes,' delirium tremens encompasses a number of symptoms, including nightmares, sweating, and hallucinations as well as physical shaking.
eulogy
A speech or text praising someone who has recently died
fancydancing
Traditional dancing practiced among some Indigenous tribes, often performed at special occasions. The actual choreography varies by tribe. Many traditional dances have changed over time, and some routines have been developed relatively recently.
gook
A racial slur, usually applied to Asians and Asian-Americans
HUD house
A house sold by the US government's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These homes have been seized by the government after the previous owner was foreclosed upon, and thus are available cheaply.
incredulous
Surprised or skeptical
Indian Health Service
A division of the US government's Department of Health and Human Services, founded in 1955. It provides healthcare to members of federally recognized Indigenous nations, often at low cost. Historically, it was often the only option available to Native Americans living on reservations in "medical deserts" (i.e., areas where there are few or no doctors or hospitals). The IHS was involved in the forced sterilization of Indigenous women, and it has had problems with chronic underfunding and mismanagement throughout its history. As a result, some tribes have taken over management of their own health care systems (Walker).
insomnia
The inability to fall or stay asleep
powwow
A special gathering practiced by some North American Indigenous tribes. Powwows often feature music, food, and dancing.
pterodactyl
A type of flying dinosaur
reservation
A parcel of land governed by one of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous nations. After being forced off of their ancestral land by white colonizers, the treaties that tribes signed with the United States government "reserved" small portions of their original land on which the tribes would live and govern themselves. In many cases, either during or after the signing of the treaties, the US government then forced the tribes onto other parcels of land, often geographically isolated, with which they had no connection at all (Frantz 45-47).
reverberation
An echo
ribbon shirt
A garment often associated with Indigenous peoples. Ribbon shirts are adapted from European shirts and are decorated with ribbons. Although the designs did originate among Native American tribes, they are frequently sold by non-Native vendors and in this context, are an example of cultural appropriation.
stickball
A traditional Indigenous sport; its rules vary by tribe and it is often associated with Central American tribes.
stickgame
A traditional guessing game popular among some Indigenous tribes
stoic
Solemnly and quietly enduring hardship
tipi
A conical tent traditionally used by some Indigenous peoples
Tribal Council
Many Indigenous reservations are administered by Tribal Councils. These are groups of tribe members, usually elected, who lead the reservation. Their exact responsibilities vary by tribe, but sometimes include interacting with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, managing funds, and creating laws.
The term may also be used in reference to intertribal councils (such as the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council), in which multiple tribes collaborate to administer projects, policies, and services.
