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Challenges Facing American Indian Youth: On the Front Lines With Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell

NCJ Number
185316
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 3-8
Author(s)
Ben N. Campbell
Date Published
December 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the first American Indian to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, advises that the greatest challenges facing American Indian youth are overcoming the obstacles to living a normal childhood, receiving a sound education, and being equipped to compete for jobs in the modern economy.
Abstract
Challenges experienced by the parents and families who reside on reservations in tribal communities impact their children. Unemployment, poverty, poor housing conditions, and lack of housing produce stress and anxiety that obstruct healthy youth development. Only when American Indians return to traditional tribal values will there be fundamental changes in the kinds of moral influences being exerted on Indian children. The programs the Federal Government currently offers American Indians are effective but limited in scope. The Federal Government should continue to provide technical assistance and professional expertise to tribes to help develop effective programs and work with American Indian youth who are having problems. Tribal leaders and parents must be trained to deal with the kinds of problems Indian children and youth are experiencing. Tribes must be allowed to assume the leadership in selecting and implementing the programs best suited to tribal problems and needs. Self-determination and self-governance must be incorporated in Federal assistance programs.