Roberta L. Hall

Alcohol Treatment in American Indian Populations: An Indigenous Treatment Modality Compared with Traditional Approaches

It has been known for many years that alcoholism poses significant community health problems for American Indian groups (Baker, 1977; Lewis, 1982; Brod, 1975). Alcoholic beverages were virtually unknown in North America before the arrival of European immigrants, and the tragedy of Indian alcoholism is a part of the history of domination which the native peoples experienced at the hands of Europeans. Although the historical, social, and medical aspects of Indian alcoholism have been studied in detail, less attention has been focused upon attempts by Indian people to free themselves of afflictions due to alcohol (Johansen, 1980; NIAAA, 1980; Mail and McDonald, 1980). This paper reports on features of contemporary Indian alcohol treatment, with a focus on indigenous practices, especially the sweat lodge. Before presenting the data collected in this study, we will briefly review the research on Indian alcoholism and on native American social movements. The fact that native Americans from many tribes with varied cultural, economic, and physical environments proved susceptible to the ravages of alcohol has led to speculation about the etiology of alcohol abuse in this population (Lewis, 1982). Persistent among biological theories has been the hypothesis that for Indian persons the metabolism of alcohol is somehow different -either faster or slower-than for other people. Although some research indicates that slight differences exist between Indian and other populations in the metabolism of alcohol or its first metabolic product, acetaldehyde, results have been neither strong nor consistent (Fenna et a/., 1971; Hanna, 1976; Reed et al., 1976; Zeiner and Paredes, 1978; Schaefer, 1982). Nor has a link been found between differences in metabolism and unhealthful patterns of alcohol use. Researchers who have emphasized environmental and behavioral aspects of the etiology of alcoholism have had somewhat more material to work with (Leland, 1976). Historically, Indian societies, which had developed highly structured ways of handling other problems of life, were first exposed to alcohol at a time when many other direct and indirect threats were leveled at them (Jilek-Aall, 1978). This situation made it unlikely that the new drug would be integrated in a positive fashion into Indian

Genetic Diversity and Population Parameters of Sea Otters, Enhydra lutris , before Fur Trade Extirpation from 1741–1911

All existing sea otter, Enhydra lutris, populations have suffered at least one historic population bottleneck stemming from the fur trade extirpations of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We examined genetic variation, gene flow, and population structure at five microsatellite loci in samples from five pre-fur trade populations throughout the sea otters historical range: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Russia. We then compared those values to genetic diversity and population structure found within five modern sea otter populations throughout their current range: California, Prince William Sound, Amchitka Island, Southeast Alaska and Washington. We found twice the genetic diversity in the pre-fur trade populations when compared to modern sea otters, a level of diversity that was similar to levels that are found in other mammal populations that have not experienced population bottlenecks. Even with the significant loss in genetic diversity modern sea otters have retained historical structure. There was greater gene flow before extirpation than that found among modern sea otter populations but the difference was not statistically significant. The most dramatic effect of pre fur trade population extirpation was the loss of genetic diversity. For long term conservation of these populations increasing gene flow and the maintenance of remnant genetic diversity should be encouraged.

Effectiveness of a consultation intervention to promote tobacco control policies in Northwest Indian tribes: Integrating experimental evaluation and service delivery

A quasi-experimental replication of an intervention for promoting tobacco control policies in Northwest Indian tribes is described and the process of intervention including issues of collaboration among research institutions and Indian organizations is discussed. The policy intervention was evaluated using a pretest-posttest design wherein 20 tribes that had served as wait-list controls now received the intervention. The intervention comprised a tribal representative attending a kickoff orientation; follow-up visits to the tribes; distribution of tobacco policy workbooks; and phone call consultations. Policy status and stringency were assessed by means of telephone interviews with two key contacts per tribe, and by a count of enacted policies. There were significant pre-post changes in the primary outcome measure, a composite summary score of tobacco policy stringency, and changes were also reflected in enacted policies. The intervention effects observed were similar to those found in the prior randomized trial and suggest a robust, disseminable intervention. Much of the success achieved was attributed to the role of an Indian organization in planning the project and implementing the intervention and evaluation protocols.

How were north american sites of the pleistocene-holocene transition discovered?

This article reports on a database categorizing the processes of discovery used in 323 North American archaeological sites that have an antiquity of at least 7,500 years. It discusses tabulations of discovery processes, types of material found in these sites, and methods used in dating them. These findings provide a context for research strategies currently used in seeking evidence of human occupation during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition.

An energetics-based approach to understanding the menstrual cycle and menopause.

To explain the menstrual cycle and menopause, human biologists during the past several decades have developed new models of the evolutionary origins and maintenance of female reproductive patterns that address both ultimate and proximate causation. Hypotheses proposed for these processes generally offer explanations for menstruation or for menopause, but not for both; ultimately, these explanations must be integrated. Reviewing current explanations, this paper offers an energetics-based evolutionary rationale compatible with past adaptations of Homo sapiens and with ecological patterns in small-scale, preindustrial social systems in which food resources vary and sometimes are scarce.

Rapid assessment procedures to describe tobacco practices at sites managed by Indian tribes

Correspondence to Roberta L Hall, Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. Abstract Objective -To describe patterns of tobacco use and non-use in buildings managed by a sample of Northwest US Indian tribes, and at buildings of com parable local government offices in ad jacent communities, at baseline (1991) and after half of the tribes had received an intervention aimed at upgrading tobacco control policies (1993). Methods Rapid assessment procedures consisting of an objective check list of tobacco related artefacts, detailed obser vations of tobacco practices in various settings, and conversations with local people concerning tobacco practices; comparison of observations made in 1991 and 1993. Results Tobacco related artefacts and social acceptance of personal tobacco use decreased in indoor areas, particularly in official tribal offices. Locations that ap pear resistant to tobacco control in both Indian and non-Indian areas were out door porches and entry ways, parking lots, restaurants, bingo halls, casinos, and offices of natural resource businesses such as forest products. Conclusions Observations made in field visits provided investigators with a de scription of the context within which tobacco control by Indian tribal govern ments is expressed, and identified social environments where tobacco control has been effective and those that need ad ditional attention.

Paleobiology and systematics of canids and hominids

The paleobiology and systematics of Canis lupus (wolf) and Canis latrans (coyote) are reviewed to develop a model for interpreting the paleobiology and systematics of early hominids of the genus Australopithecus. The following points are made. (1) The genus Canis is the animal population that provides the best ecological-behavioral model for early hominids; hence, variation in Cdnis can be used to interpret variation in early hominids. (2) Coyotes and wolves are considered good biological species; given the right conditions, however, they form viable hybrid populations. Implications for the concept of the species are discussed. (3) It is hypothesized that, similarly, A. robustus and A. africanus represent good biological species. Though they normally avoided each other, under certain unusual circumstances they also probably hybridized. By avoiding competition with each other and by maintaining relatively narrow niches, they were able to coexist and evolve separately, for the most part. (4) The earliest hominid species, like coyotes and wolves, represent slightly different variations on the same behavioral-ecological pattern and should be included within the same genus.

Evolution of Intelligence and Consciousness

These five books address the evolution of cognition and consciousness, the two topics no longer considered synonymous but separate though related inquiries. Two books focus on consciousness as revealed in art and artifacts from prehistoric sites of anatomically modern humans; one evaluates the intelligence of anthropoid apes through ecological, ethological, behavioral, and anatomical studies of living and fossil apes; one concerns intelligence as revealed in fossil brains and skulls; and the fifth is an essay using many types of data and imaginative scenarios to comment on the mind.

Clay Vessels at 35CS43 on the Oregon Coast

This article describes and analyzes two large unfired, non-portable clay vessels found at site 35CS43, at the mouth of the Coquille River on the Oregon coast, in levels estimated to be 1500–2000 B.P. These vessels are unique but share some features with other clay artifacts in the Northwest. Origin and production, use and breakdown, burial, and antiquity of these artifacts are discussed.

Origins and Implications of Sex

Betzig, Laura. Despotism and Differential Reproduction. New York: Aldine, 1986. xi + 171 pp. including appendix, bibliography, and index.