Decolonize Tobacco - Breathe Tradition, Not Addiction

American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) in the United States, regardless of recognition status, deal with the health consequences of commercial tobacco use (e.g. cigarettes, chew tobacco) and the loss of knowledge regarding traditional tobacco (e.g. that which is used in ceremonial, sacred, and medicinal ways). Concurrently, AI/AN are faced with the increasing loss of their Indigenous languages. Through the Indigenous language, youth stay connected to their culture and describe their people, origin stories, tobacco stories, knowledge, and ceremonies. Knowing one's Indigenous language enables youth to understand traditional tobacco, both of which act as a protective factor against commercial tobacco product use. Over the last five years, we have incorporated traditional tobacco as a visual learning tool in health education efforts aimed at reducing the use of commercial tobacco. Diverse traditional tobaccos and their uses are described, including Dzil Nat'oh (Navajo for mountain smoke) and Asema (Anishaabe for tobacco). Using the theme “Decolonize Tobacco- Breathe Tradition,Not Addiction” to encourage AI/AN youth to use tobacco only in traditional ways. As a result of our initial work, we feel that decolonizing the concept of tobacco amongst AI/AN, clarifies the traditional uses and roles of tobacco in tribal and urban communities. This work elucidates the importance of maintaining, and in some communities, reviving Indigenous languages as a health issue; when these languages are lost, much of the concepts around something complex like traditional tobacco are lost, and along with it, the cultural protective factors to hinder commercial tobacco use.