What's New

Senator Dorgan responds to New York Times article about the Pine Ridge Reservation

2012-05-18T16:54:54Z

Today, the New York Times published a letter to the editor by our founder and chairman, former US Senator Byron Dorgan. Senator Dorgan was responding to Nicholas Kristof's article entitled "Poverty's Poster Child", about the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

In the article Senator Dorgan says:

"Our approach to addressing disparities in Indian country must come from a deep sense of humility. Our country includes 566 federally recognized tribes with distinct sovereign governments. You can’t visit one reservation and know Indian country. A paternalistic, simplistic or negative label neglects to account for the incredible strength and history of tribal governments."

Click here to read Nicholas Kristof's May 10 article, "Poverty's Poster Child," and follow this link to read the full response from Senator Dorgan.

Students from Hopi High Radio program attend National Journalism Education Association Conference

2012-05-16T19:26:40Z

Click here to read the full story about the learning experiences gathered by four students from Hopi High Radio, the only live remote Native American teen talk show in the nation, when participating in the National Journalism Education Association conference in Seattle, Washington. .

Nike N7 Prize for Native Youth Inspirational Story Exchange

2012-05-16T15:31:50Z

The Center invites you to participate in the Center's Native Youth Inspirational Story Exchange. First 5 individuals to submit their inspirational story will be rewarded with a Nike N7 drawstring bag full of goodies!

Native youth are our greatest resource! The Center is asking youth to share stories of motivation, overcoming barriers, reaching goals, and Native pride. Youth can be creative in their storytelling and these positive messages will help empower and support Native youth across Indian Country! Submissions will be reviewed and posted on the Center's "Stories of Inspiration " page at a later date.

Click here to read the Center's most recent inspirational story from Teressa Baldwin in Alaska and click here to submit your story online. Looking forward to hearing from you!

*First 5 individuals to submit their story will be contacted via email.

Funding Opportunity: Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (TMIECHV) Grant Program

2012-05-16T15:26:01Z

Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Children and Families

Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (TMIECHV) Grant Program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Modification 1

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=170797

Three Native Youth Related Funding Opportunities - Office of Minority Health

2012-05-15T22:00:37Z

The U.S. Office of Minority Health (OMH) announced a series of competitive funding opportunities, three of which are related to Native American youth issues. Please see the information below and visit the OMH website for more details.

Application Deadline: June 8, 2012

American Indian/Alaska Native Health Disparities Program (AI/AN) The overall intent of the AI/AN program is to strengthen the capacity of Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) and Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) to: collect and manage data more effectively; better understand and develop the link between public health problems and behavior, socioeconomic conditions, and geography; and create a pipeline program for students to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the public health and biomedical sciences professions.
Peer-to-Peer Outreach Model to Curb HIV/AIDS Transmission Among High Risk Minority Youth and Adolescents (CHAT) The CHAT program seeks to improve the HIV/AIDS health outcomes of high risk minority youth (13-19 years old) by supporting community-based efforts to increase HIV/AIDS prevention/education efforts, testing, counseling and referrals.
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP): The YEP seeks to address unhealthy behaviors in at-risk minority youth, 10-18 years of age, and provide them with opportunities to learn skills and gain experiences that contribute to more positive lifestyles and enhance their capacity to make healthier life choices.

SAMHSA Grant RFA for Primary & Behavioral Care Integration

2012-05-11T19:54:04Z

SAMHSA has announced the grant RFA for Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI). Pre-application webinars are on May 7 and May 10. Applications are due June 8, 2012.

Please find the grant information at: http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2012/sm_12_008.aspx#docs

WeRNative Announces a Script Writing Contest!

2012-05-09T22:10:37Z

WeRNative is a health resource for Native youth developed by Native youth and addresses topics that matter most to them. Most recently, WeRNative announced a new contest to showcase original scripts written by Native youth! See the flyer below for more information!

Now Accepting Applications: Summer Internship at the Center

2012-05-09T21:01:05Z

The Center for Native American Youth is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for a summer internship position.

The Center seeks a responsible, organized, detail-oriented, self-starter with strong communications, internet and Microsoft Office skills. This internship will be offered summer, fall and spring semesters in the 2012-2013 term. The time required for the internship is 15-20 hours per week.

The intern will offer research, communications and administrative support for the Center for Native American Youth working directly with the Director, Program Coordinator as well as with other members of the Center’s team.

Click here to read the full internship description and learn how to apply!

Photo: Center's Spring 2011 intern Raquel Bahe and Senator Byron Dorgan

Position Announcement - Center for Native American Youth

2012-05-09T20:45:15Z

Senior Program Manager

The Center for Native American Youth was founded by former US Senator Byron Dorgan in February 2011. Through outreach, research, communication, policy development and advocacy, the Center is strengthening and creating new connections to increase awareness of AI/AN youth issues while also exchanging resources through a one-stop resource center.

The Senior Program Manager will lead development of a unique program initiative, which focuses on policy research around specific issues impacting the lives of Native youth. He/she will conduct ongoing research on current and proposed policies related to Native youth, health and wellness; develop a national issue/policy roundtable series; develop publications for a variety of audiences on relevant issues, current and potential policies, and best practices; and serve as a resource to policymakers, agencies, foundations and others. In addition, working closely with the Executive Director, the Senior Program Manager will manage the Center’s day-to-day operations. Advanced degree in law (JD), Public Policy or a related field is strongly preferred. Expert knowledge of Indian policy and Native youth issues required. Successful candidates must be adept at taking initiative, meeting deadlines, managing Native interns/research assistants, and multi-tasking in a dynamic and creative environment.

For a full description of the position and directions for how to apply please visit the posting on Aspen Institute’s career page. Please follow the instructions to submit a cover letter and resume for the Senior Program Manager – Center for Native American Youth position and direct questions to Erin Bailey at erin.bailey@aspeninstitute.org.

Senator Dorgan and the Center for Native American Youth Announce Grant Award from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

2012-04-30T19:05:22Z

$600,000 grant will address racial equity issues faced by Indian youth over next three years.

Washington, DC, May 1, 2012 –– Former US Senator Byron Dorgan and the Center for Native American Youth announced today they have been awarded a $600,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The funding will be used over the next three years to continue and expand the organization’s efforts to build a platform for national dialogues about Indian youth issues, Indian Country outreach, and a policy and resource agenda that promotes racial healing and improves access to opportunity for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. The funds will also be used develop the organization’s capacity.

“Far too many Indian children are being left behind in our country,” said Senator Dorgan “I am eager to work with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, tribal governments and parents to address the challenges facing of our youngest First Americans.”

Native American youth are the most at-risk population in this country. Young AI/ANs suffer the highest rate of suicide, attain the lowest level of education of any racial or ethnic group in the United States, and are arrested at a rate three times the national average.

The Center for Native American Youth is determined to raise these issues into the national dialogue, driving more resources and creating a place for stakeholders to, in partnership with tribes, come together to develop solutions to these complex challenges. Senator Dorgan and the Center are also committed to identifying and promoting promising practices and other successful Native American youth initiatives that are making a positive impact on AI/AN youth today. Through this work, listening directly to tribal communities and AI/AN youth is the Center’s top priority prioritizes first and always listening.

With Senator Dorgan’s significant experience and leadership along with the strong platform of the Aspen Institute, the Center is uniquely positioned to bring people together to craft and drive a national agenda forward.

Objectives of the program are to increase national awareness, understanding and engagement around challenges faced by AI/AN children; improve coordination of government agency and private organization programing for AI/AN youth, and serve as a one-stop source for information regarding AI/AN youth programming and issues.

The Center was created with a one million dollar contribution from US Senator Byron Dorgan’s excess campaign funds in 2011. In addition to US Senator Dorgan’s campaign contribution, the Center for Native American Youth has received generous support from individuals and numerous Indian tribes.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, established in 1930, supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and southern Africa.

The Center for Native American Youth is dedicated to improving the health, safety and overall well-being of Native American youth through communication, policy development and advocacy. Founded by former US Senator Byron Dorgan in February 2011, the Center is a policy program within the Aspen Institute, headquartered in Washington, DC. The Center works to strengthen and create new connections, as well as exchange resources and best practices that address the challenges facing Native youth. Visit the Center’s website for a comprehensive list of resources available to young Native Americans, tribes and the general public. For more information, visit www.cnay.org.

The Aspen Institute’s mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

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UNITY and NIHB team up to create a Tribal Youth Health Advisory Committee

2012-04-26T21:18:00Z

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is putting together a Tribal Youth Health Advisory Committee (TYHAC) to invite Native youth to national conversation on public health and wellness in Indian Country. NIHB is working in partnership with the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) group to get Native youth leaders involved in this new and exciting opportunity!

The NIHB TYHAC will provide a national platform for tribal youth representatives to:

Share information about public health issues in Indian Country
Identify urgent public health needs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
Provide youth driven approaches to addresses these issues and needs

Click here to read more and learn how to get involved!

Let's Move! in Indian Country Celebrates its One Year Anniversary

2012-04-25T15:59:56Z


	For the anniversary of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) initiative, the White House would like to hear from those across Indian Country who are working to mitigate childhood obesity in their communities. More than one out of every three American children are overweight or obese, placing them at greater risk for chronic disease and contributing to rising health care costs, as well as declining productivity. Obesity is even more prevalent amongst American Indian and Alaskan Native youth who are the two times as likely to be diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes and other related diseases. To commemorate the one year anniversary of Let’s Move! in Indian Country the White House is seeking stories and models for success from Tribes, Urban Indian Centers, Schools, local and national organizations, and others working to promote the goals of LMIC. LMIC’s Four Goal Areas are: 1. Creating a Healthy Start on Life 2. Developing Healthy Learning Communities 3. Increasing Physical Activity 4. Fostering Healthy, Comprehensive Food System Policies Click here to read more and to submit your LMIC Story!

Announcement of Summer Intern Position within the Office of General Counsel (OGC)

2012-04-16T21:23:06Z

Exciting new internship opportunity for Native students studying law. Please read through the internship details below.

The National Indian Gaming Commission’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking applicants for two intern positions for the summer of 2012. OGC’s summer internship program is for students who have completed at least their first year of law school. Paid interns are expected to work at least 40 hours per week and are compensated at a rate equivalent to a General Schedule 7 (equivalent to $42,209). In addition to paid interns, OGC will consider volunteer applicants receiving financial support through law school public interest programs or through other public interest scholarships and federal work study programs. Interns funded by Federal Work Study programs will also be considered.

About the NIGC and the Office of General Counsel

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), an independent federal regulatory agency within the Department of the Interior, was established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). IGRA was enacted as means of supporting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the creation of a statutory basis for the operation of gaming on Indian lands. It provides a regulatory framework to shield Indian gaming from corruption, to ensure the games are fair and honest and to ensure that Tribes are the primary beneficiaries of the gaming operation. The Commission was created to address these congressional concerns regarding gaming and to protect such gaming as a means of generating tribal revenue.

The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the Commission on all matters relating to IGRA and Commission compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Office represents the Chairwoman in all enforcement actions and, as needed, coordinates with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement the Commission’s enforcement actions. The Office also plays an important role in handling appeals before the full Commission, and where Commission action results in litigation, the Office works directly with the Department of Justice.

The Office of the General Counsel also manages the day-to-day legal affairs of the Commission, providing counsel and legal support to each division. The Office reviews tribal gaming ordinances and proposed management contracts, provides legal advisory opinions on the appropriate classification of games played in Indian gaming facilities, on Indian land issues, contract issues, and general law questions. The Office also coordinates opinions and other specific matters with the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, and other federal agencies as necessary. The NIGC OGC is committed to the professional development of new attorneys in the field of federal Indian law.

How To Apply

NIGC’s internships are highly competitive. Interns are selected on the basis of their overall applications. Due to the nature of NIGC’s practice, experience in Indian law or a background in Indian affairs is highly desirable.

Applicants must submit the following materials:
• Cover Letter Addressed to Lawrence Roberts, General Counsel
• Resume
• Legal Writing Sample

• Law School Transcripts, Official transcripts are required

Applications may be sent via email to Shakira Ferguson at shakira_ferguson@nigc.gov, by facsimile to (202) 632-7066 or by regular mail to:

NIGC Internship Program,

Attn. Shakira Ferguson
1441 L Street NW, Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20005

The deadline for applications is April 27, 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For an application to be considered complete, the cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and transcript must be received via email, facsimile or mail by the deadline. Please email Shakira Ferguson at shakira_ferguson@nigc.gov if you have any questions.

Now Open: 2nd Annual THRIVE Conference Registration

2012-04-12T12:47:41Z

THRIVE out of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board recently announced that registration is now open for the 2012 2nd Annual THRIVE Conference! The conference will take place on the campus of Portland State University (PSU) from June 25th-June 29th. The conference is open to 13-19 year old Native youth across the country.

Conference participants will learn about the signs of suicide, the impacts of drug and alcohol abuse, how to be a resource for friends and family, and much more. Participants will also learn to positively express their emotions and feelings about these challenging topics through interactive, educational workshop tracks and the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA). Four difference tracks will b e offered, including film production, song writing & production, digital storytelling, and a health education & artwork track.

Registration is free and all meals Monday - Thursday and part of Friday will be provided. Travel, lodging, and parking costs are not covered by the conference hosts. Evening activities will also be included: a recreation night, dance, cultural sharing evening, and bowling!

Click here to read more about THRIVE and their exciting summer conference!

NEW WeRNative Contest: Tour My Rez. Tour My Town. Tour My College

2012-04-12T03:16:58Z

WeRNative announces their NEW contest for Native youth: Tour my Rez. Tour my Town. Tour my College. "Show us around! One of the best ways to learn about a place is to take a tour. We R Native wants you to be our tour guide. Take us on a virtual tour of your rez, college, or town – Show us around and tell us what makes it an amazing place to live! Shoot a video, write a story, or take some photos. Whatever it takes to show what your rez, town, or college is all about."

Two of the Center's Board Members make the list of Top Journalists of the Past Century

2012-04-06T22:01:35Z

Congratulations to Center board members Patty Talahongva and Hattie Kauffman for making the list of Top Journalists of the Past Century announced by UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. Click here to read the full list and description.

HHS and Department of Education launch new STOP BULLYING website

2012-04-05T14:21:14Z

NEWS RELEASE

HHS and Education launch new Stop Bullying website

Strategies and webisodes for children schools and parents at www.stopbullying.gov

Building on the momentum the Obama administration started more than a year ago to stop bullying in schools and communities, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Education Secretary Arne Duncan today unveiled a revitalized Stop Bullying website – www.stopbullying.gov – to encourage children, parents, educators, and communities to take action to stop and prevent bullying.

The website provides a map with detailed information on state laws and policies, interactive webisodes and videos for young people, practical strategies for schools and communities to ensure safe environments, and suggestions on how parents can talk about this sensitive subject with their children. The site also explores the dangers of cyberbullying and steps youngsters and parents can take to fight it.

Research shows that bullying is physical and emotional abuse. Students who are bullied are more likely to struggle in school and skip class. They are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, be depressed, and are at higher risk of suicide. There is a Get Help page, which is directly linked to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which means young people can get immediate help for themselves or others if needed.

“Bullying is not just an education or health problem, it is a community problem,” said Secretary Sebelius. “We are committed to working together at the federal level to help communities, schools and families address it as a single problem.”

The enhanced site responds to feedback from the March 2011 White House Conference on Bullying Prevention and the September 2011 Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit that awareness alone will not prevent bullying. The site now gives concrete steps that students, parents, educators and community members can take to prevent and stop bullying.

“We’ve come a long way in the past year in educating the public about the health and educational impacts that bullying can have on students. But simply being aware of the problem is not enough,” said Secretary Duncan. “Everyone has a role to play, and StopBullying.gov features ways we can all take action against bullying.”

Follow StopBullying.Gov on Twitter or Facebook for more information on how to take action to stop bullying.

Senator Dorgan and the Center receive NIGA Chairman's Leadership Award

2012-04-02T21:52:54Z

One Dupont Circle • Suite 700
Washington, DC, 20036
Tel. 202-736-5800
Fax 202-467-0790
www.aspeninstitute.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Bailey, Director
Center for Native American Youth
The Aspen Institute
202-736-2521
erin.bailey@aspeninstitute.org

Center for Native American Youth Receives National Indian Gaming Association Chairman's Leadership Award

NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens bestows Former US Senator Byron Dorgan and the Center for Native American Youth with his Chairman's Leadership Award.

Washington, DC, April 2, 2012 ---- Today, former US Senator Byron Dorgan and the organization he founded -- Center for Native American Youth -- will be honored with the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman's Leadership Award. The award will be given to Senator Dorgan during an Award Luncheon at 12:30 PM at NIGA's Annual Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego, California. The NIGA Chairman's Leadership Award honors individuals and tribes who have contributed and advocated for tribal sovereignty and economic development. Chairman Ernie Stevens created the Chairman's Leadership Award 10 years ago.

"Senator Dorgan has been a true champion for American Indians for decades. His passion for our children is inspiring. We admire his leadership and NIGA will continue to support his work at the Center for Native American Youth," said Chairman of NIGA and well-known Indian youth advocate, Ernie Stevens.

The Chairman's Leadership Award will be presented in front of 500 tribal leaders, tribal regulators, and Indian gaming industry professionals. Senator Dorgan will be introduced by Billy Mills, Olympic Gold Medalist, Native American, and champion for youth in Indian Country. Following introduction, Senator Dorgan will deliver remarks, discussing why of all the issues he worked on after 30 years in Congress, he believes Native youth need to be a top priority for this country.

"Thank you to Chairman Stevens and NIGA for their support of this important program. This award is a great honor for the Center," said former US Senator Byron Dorgan.

During his remarks Senator Dorgan will also highlight the Center for Native American Youth's major accomplishments in its first year, including:

20 roundtables in nine states with youth from more than 100 tribes, as part of an effort to hear directly from youth about what is going on in their communities;
a series of federal agency resource roundtables to develop coordinated strategies and action in addressing the challenges facing Native youth;
the development of the Center's one-stop shop resource center for Native youth, tribes and the general public; and the production of a public service announcement (PSA) featuring Senator Dorgan and two of the Center's board members, NCAI President Jefferson Keel and Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox.

"We have a lot of work to do together to improve the lives of Native American youth. I am grateful for your support and partnership," remarked Senator Dorgan. "I'm convinced if we continue our work we will save lives in Indian Country," said Senator Dorgan.

Event details:
Chairman Award Luncheon at NIGA Tradeshow and Convention
San Diego Convention Center; San Diego, CA
Ballroom 20BCD
12:30 PM -- 2:00 PM

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community contributes financially to nine different organizations, including the Center

2012-03-30T16:40:28Z

Today the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announces a total of $250,000 to nine organizations which provide services primarily for American Indian people and reservation communities. The Center for Native American Youth is among one of the organizations and ongoing support from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is greatly appreciated! Click here to read more about Shakopee and their philanthropic giving.

Upcoming SPRC Webinar - Saving Our Youth: How One Native Community Reduced Teen Suicide

2012-03-23T13:29:18Z

Th Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is devoted to advancing the national strategy for suicide prevention through technical assistance, training and resource material to enhance the knowledge and expertise of suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide. Next week, March 29, SPRC will offer a free webinar that will highlight a community-driven program that reduced suicidal ideation and attempts in youth from one Southwestern tribe. SPRC offers this session in hopes that some of the elements from the described program will be helpful for other communities who are developing similar initiatives. Please see more information about the webinar and how to register below.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center Research to Practice Webinar

Saving Our Youth: How One Native Community Reduced Teen Suicide

When: Thursday, March 29, 2012

3:00 PM-4:30 PM Eastern Time

Presenters:

Patricia Serna, LISW, Executive Director, North Central Community Based Services, Inc.

Sharon Julian, Staff of the Tribal Program

Philip A. May, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of New Mexico and Research Professor, University of North Carolina, Nutrition Research Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health

Opening Remarks:

Richard McKeon, PhD, MPH, Branch Chief, Suicide Prevention, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Brief description:

This webinar will provide an overview of the Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program, which was developed by and for a Native community in New Mexico. The comprehensive, community-driven program showed significant, sustained reduction in youth suicide gestures and attempts over 13 years. Presenters will describe three critical aspects of the program, which could be replicated in other settings:

1) A commitment to addressing suicide as part of a system of care, with services addressing other behavioral health topics – such as family violence and substance abuse – at all levels of prevention;

2) Active involvement from key constituencies – tribal leadership, health care providers, elders, youths, and clients – in the design and implementation of the program to ensure that program strategies are culturally appropriate; and

3) Flexibility in program development and implementation based on continuous evaluation and feedback from community and program staff.

Objectives:

By the end of the webinar participants will:

1. Know the key components of the Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program

2. Understand how data was collected and used to improve the program

3. Be aware of the impact the program had on the community where it was implemented

4. Identify ways to adopt or adapt the strategies, approaches and tools of the Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program for use in their own communities.

Additional resources:

Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program Manual: A Public Health Model for Native American Communities

Register online
Space is limited. Please register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/111383896

After you register, you will receive an e-mail containing information about how to participate in the webinar.

If you have questions, contact Tiffany Kim, SPRC Project Coordinator at 202-572-3717 or tkim@edc.org.