Native Alliance Of The Sierra Nevada Foothills

Programs: This organization provides culturally relevant counseling, education and recovery support services for an average of 500 native american families each year. Indian child welfare(icwa) advocacy and parent education is provided, along with training and consultation for public and private partners to improve services for native children. Family violence prevention services were expanded this year to enhance reunification support services, with staff completing certification training to provide a new 52-week domestic violence class. Through mental health services act-workforce development activities, we provided several (continued at schedule o) trainings on the topic of "indigenous psychology" for local colleges and mental health providers. Suicide prevention materials developed and student wellness groups were provided in local high schools by our staff to address the high rate of suicide among native american youth. Youth interns in our native youth conservation corps(nycc) gained employment skills while particiapting in education and restoration activities with the sierra fund. This program was featured in a california natural resources agency publication. Nycc team leaders attended outdoor education team building and leadership training this spring and facilitated leadership activities for 100+ youth at our annual youth culture camp. White bison institute provided substance abuse prevention presentations at this camp. Working with tribal and cultural organizations, the organization sponsors regional cultural and community education events including the annual auburn big time pow wow which is attended by 3,000 to 4,000 participants this year. The artwork for this year's pow-wow was created by one of our youth program participants. An event highlight was the donation of a full-sized portrait of a california native youth dancer for the raffle. The donating artist, frank ordaz, and youth working on the pow-wow committee were featured in an article in the auburn journal appreciating this valued cultural event.