Many American Indian and Alaska Native youth have experienced historical trauma and marginalization. Some youth may have experienced abuse, neglect, and witnessed violence. Youth may be facing a lack of hope in their current environment, which raises concerns of depression and suicide. The following resources in this section offer insight into the perspectives of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and provide information on services and programs specifically designed to support the well-being of these young people.
Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute
Provides information on health and educational opportunities and programs focused on Native American youth.
Healthy Native Youth
Provides culturally relevant curriculum and resources for the sexual education of Native American and Alaska Native adolescents.
Literature & Resource Review Characteristics of Successful Foster, Adoptive and/or Kinship Caregivers of American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nations and Native Hawaiian (AIAN/FN/NH) Children and Suggested Training Themes for these Parents (PDF –- 2,162 KB)
National Training & Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (2018)
Identifies characteristics of a successful foster, adoptive, and/or kinship caregivers of AIAN/FN/NH youth as well as suggested training themes for these parents. The characteristics and suggested training themes, and their associated reference material, are outlined in this report.
Native Youth Programs
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
Highlights opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native youth to participate in events on a national scale. NCAI supports Native youth in their commitment to their communities.
Nawicakiciji-Woasniye-Oaye Waste: A Process Evaluation of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Defending Childhood Initiative (PDF - 1,894 KB)
Swaner (2015)
The Center for Court Innovation
Discusses the oversight and staffing structure of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Defending Childhood Initiative (Rosebud DCI), the program model, implementation barriers, facilitators, and sustainability of this program designed to address children's exposure to violence in their communities. The report concludes that despite challenges related to staff turnover and local politics, the Rosebud DCI was able to realize important accomplishments.
Supporting Two Spirit/Native LGBTQ+ Youth [Webinar]
Capacity Building Center for Tribes (2018)
Provides part one of a two-part webinar series offering information on Native LGBTQ and Two-Spirit identities and how professionals can create welcoming and supportive environments for youth in care.
That's My People
U.S. Department of Justice (2011)
Depicts issues that Tribal youth across regions identified as important to address within their communities. There is also a PDF from the National Intertribal Youth Summit (NIYS), That's My People: Reflections from the 2011 NIYS (PDF - 1,178 KB).
Tribal Youth Program
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Describes the services provided to Native American youth to instill traditional values, raise cultural awareness, and promote overall well-being in the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Tribal Youth Program (TYP).
Walking in Two Worlds: Understanding the Two Spirit Native LGBTQ Community [Webinar]
Capacity Building Center for Tribes (2018)
Discusses the historical roles and identities of Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ people, how historical/intergenerational trauma has impacted this community, and the efforts to bring back balance, beauty, and acceptance. This is the first webinar of a two-part series.
Young Adult, Formerly in Foster Care: My People Heal Us [Video]
Children's Bureau's Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative
Shares Daryle's story about being separated from his cultural background and Tribal family upon entering foster care and his journey to reconnect to his Tribe.