WASHINGTON – A week-long Intertribal Youth Summit held in Chevy Chase, Md., has brought to light the harsh realities of public safety in tribal communities across the country. The summit, which ran from July 29 to August 2, 2012, saw over 200 American Indian and Alaska Native youth and adult leaders from 53 tribal communities converge at the 4-H Conference Center and various locations in Washington, D.C.
The summit coincided with the second anniversary of President Obama’s signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) into law, a move aimed at enhancing public safety in tribal communities. However, the event has exposed the ongoing struggles faced by these communities, including culturally insensitive prevention and intervention programs.
According to Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West, the summit provided a platform for the administration to hear directly from the youth, who are the future leaders of their tribal nations. ‘This summit is an opportunity for those of us in Washington to hear directly from youth as representatives of their tribes,’ West said. ‘The choices that young leaders make will help define the future of their tribal nations. Working together, we can develop solutions to the challenges that they, their families and their peers face each day.’
The summit, which was launched in response to requests from tribal leaders, aimed to promote long-term improvement in public safety in tribal communities. Participants engaged in interactive discussions with tribal elders, leaders, and mentors, as well as field experts on cultural values and community-based solutions to critical issues facing the youth.
The Justice Administration officials met with participants at the summit, and also visited national monuments, the U.S. Capitol, and the White House during the week-long event. The summit also saw the participants develop leadership skills and engage in discussions with officials from Congress and the administration, as well as the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, and Education.
The summit’s outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the future of tribal communities hangs in the balance. As Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West noted, ‘Working together, we can develop solutions to the challenges that they, their families and their peers face each day.’ The question remains, will these solutions be sufficient to address the deep-seated issues plaguing tribal communities?
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