Empirical analyses comparing the precursors of adolescent alcohol use between American Indian and white adolescents are rare. This cross-sectional study compares psychosocial factors associated with past-year and heavy alcohol use among 6th and 8th grade white (N=2226;2203) and American Indian (N=105;98) students. Students in the study were participating in Project Northland, a community-wide intervention program to delay the onset of adolescent alcohol use. The project was implemented in northeastern Minnesota school districts, since that area of the state had significant alcohol-related problems. The study compares differential associations of 10 intraindividual, interpersonal, and social environmental risk factors. Risk factors for past-year alcohol use and heavy drinking were largely similar between American Indians and whites. Alcohol use may begin earlier in American Indian adolescents, suggesting that prevention efforts to delay onset may need to begin earlier for this population. Tables, references