Kayuli-Pulasaraq

Project Abstract:

AASB and the LYSD will work together to prevent and address school violence experienced in Marshall, Russian Mission, Alakanuk, Pilot Station, and Nunam Iqua.

AASB and LYSD will provide training for school personnel and students to strengthen a positive school climate and systematic mental health supports.

LYSD is located in remote Western Alaska, a non-road accessible region of Alaska deeply impacted by suicide, violence and colonization. This region, the YK Delta Region, has the highest rates of suicide in the state, with 220 per 100,000 15-24 year olds reported. There is an extreme need to improve safety and well-being to prevent violence.

It must also be noted that the Yup’ik people of this region have survived on the sub-arctic lands continuing to pass on knowledge for thousands of years. This project was named after that knowledge and strength. Kayuli (pronounced gah-u-lee) and translates into English as “strong people”.  

Purpose: To train school personnel and students to prevent violence by building a positive and culturally responsive school climate.  Kayuli is the overall trauma-engaged mental health framework, Pulasaraq is the Yup’ik social and emotional learning curriculum, and Qasriq are the protocols and practices used.

Evidence-based Activities: The Kayuli activities are founded on SEL, trauma-informed, and mental health models that are evidence-based but they have been adapted for Western Alaska. This includes a Yup'ik mental health referral system and trauma informed classroom management,  The Yup’ik social emotional skill s and Qasriq protocols work to reduce exclusions, and increase referrals to services (cognitive-behavioral therapy).

Outcomes: School staff and peer educators in the five communities will develop competence in the following topical areas.

Pulasaraq social and emotional learning / mental health materials.
Qasriq culturally responsive and trauma informed protocols.
Offering professional.training in their region
Peer educator support (Natural Helpers).

The training and professional learning will be delivered through virtual and in-person learning, coaching structures, and training materials. This is an intentional investment in Community Human Service Providers (CPs) , bilingual staff, paraprofessional staff, principals, students, and select certified staff that will stay in the community. This cohort will be trained by cohort 1 and the participants in cohort 2 will develop their own training skills by offering support to neighboring Yup'ik/Cup'ik district staff. CPs, LYSD staff, will be able to provide training beyond the life of this grant.