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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2005)
SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 Education Issue 5 Let's Dance Grand Ronde's Youth Prevention program hosted its 3rd Annual Wellness Day in April. SingerSongwriter Happy Frejo (PawneeSeminole) instructed a group of youth to dance (shown above), and performed for them as well. Youth from many Tribes across Oregon were invited. The mission of the Youth Educa tion program is to promote edu cational achievement, awareness and cultural identity to the future leaders of our Tribe. The Youth Education program provides culture-based education, recreation, culture enrichment and summer employment programming for Tribal youth, grades 6-12. The fol lowing are specific services offered: After school programming that includes tutoring, culture based educationalrecreational enrichment and culture activi ties. (Monday-Thursday, 3: 00pm-5:00pm). Transporta tion is provided for students from Willamina Middle School to after school programming. In school tutoring for those Tribal youth that are referred by a teacher, parent or self referred. Assistance with student en rollment, IEP or disciplinary meetings with school person nel. Referrals to other Tribal programs so that individual student needs are met. Youth Leadership develop ment activities and an oppor tunity to participate in Youth Leadership conferences. Summer youth employment for youth 14-17 years old. Students (16 years old) have an option to work at Spirit Mountain Casino. Summer cultural-based edu cational camps in reading, sci ence, math, finance and study skills. Opportunities to participate in multi-media projects. Summer Culture Camp. Summer field trips, Saturday and evening activities. Assistance with college prepa ration and an opportunity to participate in college tours. Monthly Family Night activities Monthly Native American Club meetings in local school districts. School supply distribution during the week of pow-wow. Youth Sponsorship Awards for extra curricular activities. Achievement & Recognition dinner at the completion of the academic year. f r s 1 :. UsL Youth Education Staff (Left to Right) Travis Mercier, Cristina Lara, Marie Heimburg, Brittny Linton, Janel Lara, Chris Bailey Youth Education Program 2004-2005 Accomplishments B 88 students received in school tutoring, three or more times in core subjects. 39 students actively partici pated in after school program ming. B 40 cultural activities were conducted for students families. B 26 Native Club Meetings were conducted in the Willamina Sheridan School Districts and 479 students attended. H 16 students attended the OIEA Youth Conference. II 46 students are participating in the Summer Youth Em ployment program at CTGR. Job placement continues at Spirit Mt. Casino. B 120 hours of Cultural-based Education classes were offered. B 160 students and staff partici pated in the three-day Youth Leadership Invitational Con ference. B Seven Youth Leadership plan ning meetings were conducted with Chemawa students. fl 30 students participated in a Spring Break camping trip. fl 12 students participated with 85 other Tribal students in a Native Wellness Cultural Leadership Camp for three days at CTGR. B 12 students participated in the Native Wellness Leader ship Academy in Olympia WA. fl Nine field trips were conduct ed throughout the year. Keys to Developing Good Learning Skills by Chris Bailey Youth Education Tutor This year, Youth Education was proud to see four of our student's graduate high school and prepare for their future in the adult world. Seeing students achieve their goals and enter life ready for its challenges is one of the greatest things any educator can experience. Two of our gradu ates won the prestigious Gates Scholarship, which will pay for their next stage of education in a university. Like their future plans, all of our graduates took differ ent paths in their quest to earn their diplomas. One thing that is common to most if not all gradu ates, however, is perseverance. They knew what they needed to get done in order to reach their goals, and did it. This attitude of achievement is important not just in high school but in life. The Youth Education Program offers many opportunities for students to receive assistance in setting and reaching their goals. Staff provides homework assistance, leadership opportunities, and cultural education to youth who access our program. We also pro vide help and advocate for our youth in the local school districts. Finally, when our youth are ready to move on into their next stage of life, we help them transition into adult education programs. In our program, the staff is often questioned about how to help students achieve in school. Though there are exceptions, the answer to that question is that the student needs to want to succeed. Some students also need to be KEYS continued page 6
