On September 27–28, 2004, OJJDP and other federal agencies took part in a Tribal Leaders Listening Conference in Washington, DC. The conference, which was held at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Great Hall, coincided with the grand opening of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), located on the National Mall.

OJJDP convened the listening conference to foster collaboration between tribes and the federal government on issues and challenges affecting tribal youth. Tribal leaders from 13 regions met with representatives from OJJDP and other Justice Department offices and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and the Interior. Presentations and roundtable discussions addressed a variety of topics, including tribal justice issues; education; prevention and intervention; health-related issues such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse; and resources and technical assistance available to help tribal communities meet the needs of their youth.

The conference opened with a traditional ceremony that included a presentation of tribal flags, a cedar and sage blessing, and an honor song. Conference participants also attended a working dinner at the Canadian Embassy, one of the entities taking part in a 2-week celebration commemorating the opening of the NMAI.

During the summer, conference participants had gathered at regional focus groups in San Francisco, CA, and Green Bay, WI. These sessions served to initiate discussions and shape the content of the final conference.

OJJDP supports and manages the Tribal Youth Program, which seeks to help tribal communities prevent delinquency and improve their juvenile justice systems. For additional information, visit the Tribal Youth Program page of OJJDP’s Web site.