The OJJDP Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center had the opportunity to support OJJDP Tribal Grantees with strategic program planning and development at the March 2018 Tribal grantee strategic planning meeting. The meeting titled, “Vision, Justice, and Tradition: Strong Paths for Tribal Youth,” extended over a two and half days and provided comprehensive training for newly funded OJJDP Tribal Grantees with Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Purpose Area 8 –Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness and Purpose Area 9 – Tribal Youth Program grants. OJJDP Deputy Administrator Eileen M. Garry provided an opening address, and a traditional welcome was given by Thomas Good Luck (Diné/Navajo) and Dr. Dolores Subia Bigfoot (Caddo) Director, OJJDP Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center. Presentations and training were provided by OJJDP Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center Staff, and were conducted in large-group settings, program area specific breakout sessions, and round-table discussion. Tribal Grantees from the Navajo Nation and Coeur D’Alene Tribes shared community stories and programmatic efforts in peer-led session. Many communities shared their individual perspectives and passion to support and serve Tribal youth through their programmatic services that will focus on intervention, prevention, and innovative judicial practices. A guest plenary was provided Evan Elkin, Ph.D., of Reclaiming Futures at Portland State University entitled, “Balance, Justice, and Healing: The Complex Role Played by Youth Justice Systems in Achieving Public Health and Well-Being.” A closing plenary was given by Dr. Bigfoot on Trauma-Informed Care discussed the complexities of serving Tribal youth, and the necessities of integrating Trauma-Informed care principles within the development of Tribal youth focused programs.
Tribal Grantees in attendance included the:
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- White Earth Nation
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Menominee Tribal Youth Program
- Mescalero Apache Tribe
- Pueblo of Acoma
- Coeur D’Alene Tribe
- Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians
- Spokane Tribe of Indians
- Puyallaup Tribal Council
- Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
- Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Fort Belknap Indian Community
- Navajo Nation
- Quileute Tribe
- Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
- Bay Mills Indian Community
- Cherokee Nation
- Morongo Band of Mission Indians
- Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
