2012 National Intertribal Youth Summit

The award recipient will develop and implement the 2012 National Intertribal Youth Summit, a culturally appropriate youth leadership conference for at-risk American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 14 to 17. This effort furthers the Department's mission by supporting the Tribal Justice and Safety initiative to increase engagement, coordination, and action on public safety in tribal communities. The summit will examine critical tribal youth issues, such as teen dating violence, substance abuse, suicide, delinquency, and gang involvement, and will focus on leadership development. This program will be authorized by an act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will plan and implement the National Intertribal Youth Summit (NIYS). The 2012 event will provide a platform to bring together 200 Native youth (ages 14-17) from 50 federally recognized tribes and assist them in developing their full potential and assuming leadership roles in their communities. Activities for this initiative include providing leadership development through innovative, engaging activities; providing a forum to discuss opportunities and challenges facing youth and their communities; and providing follow-up resources and opportunities for participants. Progress toward event goals and objectives will be captured through a project management plan incorporating measurable milestones/timelines, customized online registration software, pre- and post-event questionnaires, and evaluation documents. Established in 1944 as a representative national voice for tribal governments, NCAI has since been serving all 568 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. NCAI has experience working with tribal governments and (along with its key team partner, FirstPic, Inc.) have served numerous youth-serving organizations and agencies in Indian Country.

CA/NCF