Kaw Nation Tribal Youth Program - Kaáⁿze Níka Wasá Zhíⁿga

With this funding, Kaw Nation will create a culturally appropriate Tribal Youth Program: "Kaáze NÃka Wasá ZhÃga" or "Young Kaw Warriors." This program will provide services, programming, and activities for Tribal and community youth, with an emphasis on education, language, and culture. Activities will be held year-round within the Tribal community. The ultimate goal will be to provide a healthier lifestyle in order to prevent high rates of teen suicide, delinquency, bullying, truancy, school dropout, and alcohol and substance use. Leaders will be developed to provide prevention and intervention in areas of education with relevant activities for peer pressure and/or counseling services. This project is designed to serve Kaw Nation’s Tribal jurisdiction of Kay County, Oklahoma, and its area youth ages 12–21. Projected activities and deliverables will include a Tribal Youth Coalition, youth language fair attendance, a youth pow-wow, intern program, afterschool activities, a summer day camp, teen dating awareness, youth field trips, education and family strengthening activities, and cultural learning.