Death means balance has been lost. Mountains, buffalo, fox, wolf, eagle, all have mysterious forces and medicine. Humans no better nor worse than other living things. All have spirits. Every animal is a special gift.
Illness is a part of life and to be accepted.
Basis of healing lies in nature. Rituals used to pick plants for medicines, distribution of medicine also has rituals, whites do not use rituals Native Americans often see illness as being caused by more than physician may diagnose. Hospitals are unfamiliar, long waits, strangers, impatient staff, demanding. May become silent, leave, or develop great fear. White medicine is not explained to them.