Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2025)
At Siletz Valley Schools: Rise Up, Stand Up, K’wee-shvt-naa-gha (Peacemakers) By Tiffany Stuart Seventy-seven organizations rep- r esen t in g 4 0 st at es h ave r eceived grant funds to support JJDPA (Juve- nile Justice and Delinquency Preven- tion Act) awareness and YJAM (Youth Justice Action Month) programming this past fall, including Siletz Valley Sch ool, wh ich received $ 5,0 0 0 for peacemaking. Program s ranging from com m u- nity resource and job fairs, JJDPA educational campaigns, art advocacy and m ental health town halls, these programs will uplift the importance of the 50 th anniversary and reauthoriza- tion of the JJDPA as well as promote actions for youth justice transform a- tion across the country. In honor and in celebration of the JJDPA’s 50 th anniversary, and with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) and National Youth Justice Network (NYJN) are administering 2024 JJDPA/YJAM mini-grants to increase public education and aware- ness about the JJDPA, preventing youth-involvement in the legal system, Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) and related activities across the nation. These fun ds are m ade available under OJJDP’s FY 2023 Juvenile Jus- tice and Delinquency Prevention Act Outreach an d Education Subgran ts Program . The grant allows students to be trained as peacemakers in the school and plan a community event to bring awaren ess to the youth m ovem en t. SVS peacemakers presented the YOU MATTER Fall Carnival. Overall, 198 students and adults attended the Fall Carnival (babies and toddlers attended too!). The grant also included funding for two huge bouncy houses, T-shirts, peacemaker signs and restorative justice consultation. The five SVS high school students who were trained as peacemakers met for 10 sessions. Students received a $50 Visa card for all their hard work. A unique part of the grant was allowing elders to take part in this tr ain in g an d com m u n ity bu ild in g. Elders also received gift cards. The high school students started their journey with our elder, Robert Kentta, to learn about how tradition- ally K’wee-shvt-naa-gha, the “go between,” handled conflict. Through- out the 10 weeks, community partners attended our peacemaking circles and helped at the carnival. Than k you to the Con federated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI), City of Siletz, Siletz Valley School Board, Conflict Artistry LLC, Lincoln County School District-TAPP Program, SVS Culinary Program, SVS Middle School Student Council, Phoenix Wellness Center and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The Siletz Clinic Farm Property donated pumpkins for a teen pump- kin painting event. The specific Tribal departments that helped included Courtesy photos Above: Students attend a peacemak- ing circle. Right: The four R’s used in the pro- gram include respect, reciprocity, relationality and responsibility. Tobacco Prevention, the CARE Pro- gram and Indian Child Welfare. We are grateful for the partner- ships and will continue to invite our partners and elders into our school. Currently, peacemakers have weekly talking circles and are planning for another training in the future for more trained high school and middle school peacemakers. January 2025 • Siletz News • 13
