Native American Youths

Young American Indians and Native Alaskans face some of the most difficult social and economic challenges of any American youths. Native youths are exposed to violence at higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group in the country, and more than one in three lives in poverty. They also have the lowest high school graduation rate and much higher levels of substance abuse and suicide. Efforts to address these problems are underway at both the national and tribal levels. President Obama has proposed increased funding for Indian programs, including ones aimed at improving school quality and enhancing post-secondary career and technical vocational training. In addition, he has initiated Bureau of Indian Education reforms to increase tribal control of schools on Native lands. Meanwhile, some tribes are developing educational standards rooted in their local language and culture, while others are using peer groups to help Native youths talk openly about suicide, violence, substance abuse and other problems.