Relationship Building

Relationship Building and Cultural Significance

The first point on the star quilt emphasizes: 

  • holistic perspective 
  • cultural humility 
  • culturally appropriate service delivery 
  • confidentiality  

 Adopting these elements helps TVR project staff build positive relationships with participants while honoring their cultures, ensuring services are relevant, respectful, and tailored to the unique traditions and community of each TVR project. 

Adopt a Holistic Perspective 

  • Adopt a whole-person approach considering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 
  • Recognize interconnections between self, family, community, and environment. 
  • Example: Trust can be established through introductions sharing one’s name, clan, Tribe, and family.  

Practice Cultural Humility 

  • Engage in lifelong learning and critical self-reflection. 
  • Recognize and challenge power imbalances. 
  • Promote institutional and program accountability. 
  • Elements include openness, self-awareness, empathy, and respect for Tribal diversity. 

 Develop a Culturally Appropriate TVR Model 

  • Identify aspects of Tribal traditions and culture to integrate into the TVR process. 
  • Tailor each TVR project model to the unique traditions, culture, and community it serves. 
  • Apply culturally relevant structures, such as circular or cyclical models, reflecting Indigenous worldviews (e.g., Medicine Wheel, star quilt). 

 Uphold Confidentiality 

  • Maintain trust by protecting participant information. 
  • Share confidential information only when required by law or with participant consent. 
  • Retain records for five years after service closure, then destroy securely. 
Click the star quilt links to learn how to implement each phase of the TVR journey.
Scroll to Top