DENVER – The National Congress of American Indians Youth Commission came together with its largest numbers ever during the 64th annual NCAI convention, held Nov. 11 – 16. The youth leaders work in the communities with young people, elders and tribal officials, youth commission members said. When introduced as future leaders, the youth reminded people that they are already leaders.
”We are leaders now. We will take the ideas on self-governance back with us,” said Cynthia Biro, youth commission member and member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.
”We want councils involved with youth. When the leaders go to conferences, take a youth with you and let them shadow you and also introduce them to other leaders,” she added.
Jacqueline Johnson, executive director of NCAI, echoed Biro’s comments at a separate meeting, telling convention delegates to include youth on the councils and engage them in leadership roles.
”The health and well-being of the village means the health and well being of the youth,” Johnson said.
The bottom-line message from the NCAI concerning youth and education stressed the importance of community, with emphasis on nurturing parenting.
”On many reservations there is a lack of parenting skills. Those from boarding schools were not taught parenting skills and were left to their own devices,” said John McCoy, Tulalip Tribe.
H. Sally Smith, chairman of the National Indian Health Board, appealed to the other side. She asked each participant to think back when they were children.
”Many of us were born in small communities and are products of nurturing.
”As national organizations, we can set aside our mantles and look at this one issue: our children. What is it we can do for them?” she asked.
To create future leaders, very young children must be nurtured both physically and mentally, she said.
Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert, president of the National Indian Education Association, said that data showed 1.2 million minority students did not graduate. Of that figure, a large number were American Indian.
”Creative minds are being wasted. They are lost when there is a failure to provide a nurturing environment,” he said.
He added that the transition into high school is most difficult because the child is not prepared early on. Education begins in the home, he said.
A separate forum on education mirrored the comments from discussions in other forums.
Educators indicated that most young people need attention and if their family does not take responsibility, it may be up to the community and educators.
Language and cultural education was emphasized; but because of state and federal guidelines, educators are caught between serving the Adequate Yearly Progress provision in the No Child Left Behind Act and teaching the culture.
Both educators and students said disconnection between adults and youth is a factor that affects youth development, and many students are lost because they don’t receive the help they need.
The problems, questions and comments offered by the participants of the forums became the foundation for potential solutions.
”A vision is not just about clean minds and clean hearts; we have to provide guidelines,” said Joe Garcia, NCAI president.
”Children should be prepared, and a vision ought to include the vision from youth. … Children should have the knowledge required to include traditional ways and also know the dominant society.” Suggested curricula included a focus on civil values, traditional teachings and the natural world. Attendees also thought a support system between teachers and parents is a necessity.
”Children’s care is about sovereignty and culture. There is no more sovereign decision you can make than one that helps children,” said Terry Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association.
