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Native Youth Today! Bridging the Gap

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Native Youth Today! Bridging the Gap Volume 3, No. 2 Special Edition “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” — Chief Seattle, 1854 A Quarterly Newsletter n A Multi-Agency Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Collaboration Native Youth Today! Bridging the Gap © Dustinn Craig - 4wheelwarpony INSIDE Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Modern Day Practices 1 Native Youth Today: Bridging the Gap Between Director’s Corner 2 Traditional and Modern Day Practices Evidence-based Practices in American Indian/American Native Communities 5 Native youth are blending traditional and unique cultural characteristics and traditions of We R Native: Health Resource for Youth 6 modern best practices across the spectrum the more than 560 federally recognized tribes in NATIVE YOUTH PERSPECTIVE of behavioral health and wellness promotion. the United States may limit the generalizability Basic Health Services Lacking 7 They are engaged in efforts to incorporate tradi­ of interventions across tribes, requiring commu­ A Strength-Based Holistic Self-Assessment tional practices—such as healing circles, sweat nity-informed and tribal-specific adaptations Using Indigenous Teachings 8 lodges, and ceremonies—into community (Gone & Trimble, 2012; Trimble & Beauvais, 2001; Family Spirit 9 programs. In addition, there are many Evidence Whitesell, Kaufman, et al., 2012). “It is beautiful “Osapausi Amasalichi” (Choctaw – “I get Based Practices (EBPs) that are targeted towards to see Native youth bringing the traditional healing from that little garden”) 10 Native youth. Efforts to reduce substance use cultural ways back to communities. For AI/ Model Adolescent Suicide Prevention and prevent substance abuse with Native AN people, our culture is our spirit to the core, Program (MASPP) 11 youth should be implemented in partnership and these practices are bringing youth and National UNITY Conference 12 with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) families out of despair,” says Dr. Jami Bartgis, The Hero Project 13 communities, incorporate local expertise and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wiconi Ohitika (Strong Life) Suicide knowledge, build on strengths and resources One Fire Associates in Sand Springs, OK, who Prevention Project 14 within the communities, and integrate unique works closely with Native American youth and Resources 15 cultural practices (Brown, Baldwin, & Walsh, communities in the planning process for mental Events 16 2012). It is also important to recognize that the health and wellness and evaluation of programs. (continued on page 3 on the softball field, carpools, and commu- President Obama, federal agencies, states, Director’s Corner nity gatherings that allowed for a newfound tribes, and communities have all recognized understanding of the important role that the importance of engaging our youth and Dr. Marcella youth can have in leadership. Leadership has supporting their efforts. The White House “Marcy” Ronyak no age limit --it may be the kindergartner Tribal Youth Gathering being held on July 9, who sees another student bullying someone 2015, and the 2015 National United Director, Office of at the lunch table and asks an adult for help; a National Indian Tribal Youth Conference Indian Alcohol middle school student who notices a being held on July 10-14, 2015, will and Substance classmate becoming more withdrawn and strengthen the connection to our Native Abuse depressed and then takes the time to ask if youth by providing them an opportunity to they are ok; a high school student who learn from each other and have their voices Education, leadership, innovation, mento- happens to be an outstanding athlete notices heard. Native youth have a voice, platform, that an unpopular student doesn’t have a and support of the nation, and we are in for ring, and holistic healing are all elements for improving wellness within a community. As date to the prom and takes them; or students some exciting days ahead as we watch to coming together to support one another or see how their influence can change the a federal employee, community member, develop new programming to meet the world, one community at a time. clinician, coach, and mother, I have needs of others in the community. All of recognized the importance of empowering these examples speak to the importance of About Dr. Marcella Ronyak our youth. In fact, my professional growth encouraging youth to take a leadership role Ph.D., LICSW, CDP was impacted by the sincere and powerful within their community as they are the words of my patients and Native youth change agents. Our youth are speaking out Dr. Marcella Ronyak received her doctorate within my community. Looking into the eyes and using their experiences, special talents, degree in Counseling Psychology & and faces of Native youth and having the innovated ideas, motivation, and cultural Educational Leadership from Washington opportunity to hear their personal stories, connection to help others implement State University in 2004 and completed her was not only an honor but a way to connect pre-doctoral internship with Colorado to the inner pain that was held inside. They programs and support, and change. State University Counseling Center in Fort had life experiences that changed their Collins, Colorado. worldview and personal wishes, desires, and Lifting our youth up and supporting their She completed her Master of Social Work drive to make a difference in this world. innovative ideas can shape the way we approach holistic healing within degree at Walla Walla College (University) It was during the non structured times, the communities. It is often said that youth are in 1998 as a part of the advanced standing casual walks in the hallways of Paschal our future, so why not support a future that program and was a recipient of an Indian Sherman Indian School, numerous hours can be bright and led by our youth? Health Service Scholarship in 1997-1998. Dr. Ronyak received her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University in 1997. TIWAHE INITIATIVE Promotes Family Stability to Fortify Tribal Communities In Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, the Bureau of Indian Each tribe or tribal organization that Affairs received a $5 million increase in Tribal receives Social Services (TPA) and ICWA Priority Allocation (TPA) funding and a $5 (TPA) funding will receive a pro rata share of million increase in Indian Child Welfare Act these funds. In addition, four sites will be (ICWA) funding to support the Tiwahe selected as pilot projects for FY15 and will Initiative. Tiwahe (ti-wah-hay) means Family in receive additional funding to confront child the Lakota language, and was developed as a and family violence challenges. The Tiwahe delivery of services to children and families part of the President’s commitment to protect dollars are recurring, and will serve as a for the purpose of preserving the family and promote the development of prosperous sustainable resource to aid tribes in unit and supporting healthy and productive and resilient tribal communities. The funding is developing successful strategies to address families. Moreover, it is the intent of the designed to support tribal efforts to address these concerns. initiative to target American Indian/Alaska child abuse and neglect, family instability, Tiwahe is a six-year plan to strengthen Native children, youth, and families exposed domestic crime, barriers to accessing appro­ Indian families and promote family to violence, especially in domestic violence priate services and/or programs affecting tribal stability in order to fortify tribal and child endangerment situations. communities. Tiwahe is designed to build members. capacity and integrate the Prevention & Recovery 2 Special Edition 2015 Bridging the Gap (continued from page 1) The programs that are funded by the Substance at the community center help to connect the Establishing a Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis­ generations and teach young people the tradi­ tration (SAMHSA) grantees—including the tional ways. We have language and culture youth clubhouse and Systems of Care, Circles of Care, and Project classes, because it is important to keep our LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in language alive, pass on traditional ceremonies, activities oriented Children’s Health) programs—is responsive craft skills, and cooking,” says Angela Valenzuela, to the youth voice. Staff members involved in a Systems of Care Program Manager for the around environment SAMHSA’s programs see Native youth blending Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Sewa Uusim Community and play are more traditional and modern day practices first hand. Partnership. Arlene Cocio, the program’s youth Prevention & Recovery asked for their perspec­ resource coordinator, adds that intergener­ natural ways to tives on this movement and where it is heading. ational engagement of families organically generates conversations among youth and visit and talk with Knowing Who They Are and elders. “These activities strengthen commu­ a counselor than Where They Belong nication between the generations—young people and elders know each other and appointments or As part of forming and strengthening their have meaningful conversations and an open identities, Native youth have a strong desire to dialogue,” she says. sessions. learn cultural and traditional practices. Jennifer Ruiz, CEO of the Fresno American Indian Health Harnessing the Healing Power but unlike a counselor’s office, such activities Project in California, observed that programs do not carry the expectation or pressure to use that incorporate traditional and cultural activ­ of Culture words,” he says. ities are well attended by youth. Her organi­ Bringing the healing power of traditional zation conducted a survey of Native youth, practices into modern services is at the heart Some other examples of blending traditional which found that most who live in urban and of AI/ANs efforts in behavioral health. “AI/AN and modern practices include the Gathering suburban areas feel that having cultural and communities recognize that personal and of Native Americans (GONA) program, which traditional knowledge helps them cope.
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