“American Indian and Alaska Native youth embody the resiliency and survival of indigenous Nations and Tribes throughout the United States, and they symbolize the hope, dreams and cultural continuity for generations to come.” (Goodkind, 2010). With high rates of youth substance use, suicide, and family poverty, it can seem like this continuity is increasingly challenged across native communities, however tribal prevention staff, stakeholders, and leaders are working harder than ever to reverse negative predicted outcomes through the fostering and long-term development of resilience.
Through the implementation of prevention and diversion programs that embody local values, culture, tradition, and positive youth development strategies, communities are etching new paths for their Indigenous youth. The Tribal Youth Resource Center supports these efforts toward healing, opportunity and changing the narrative for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth.
We support by providing free resources and tools to address the issues faced by communities. Visit the Resource Library to access tribal-specific publications, facts sheets, and archived learning events. Check out the Issue Guide below to see common issues faced by those who are in the process of developing a prevention, intervention or court-based diversion program in their tribal community.
Communities may also submit a training and technical assistance request at any time. Our team will review your request and provide a responsive training and technical assistance plan or referral to an appropriate provider.
“Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.”
Chief Tecumseh
Issue Guide
- We want to learn more about how to locate funding to support a local initiative.
- We want to understand ways to engage and uplift tribal youth.
- We want to learn more about trauma and healing informed care.
- We want to know how to implement an arts or media program as part of our local diversion programs.
- There are youth in our community who struggle with substance misuse and we want to find ways reduce recidivism for drug and alcohol related offenses.
- We want to partner with local counties and agencies, but there have been barriers to collaboration.
- We want to know how communities have been able to continue services through a public health crisis.
- We are interested in ways to improve our data collection processes for our program and want to learn more about program evaluation.
- Our community is interested in updating our tribal juvenile justice code.
