Tribal STAR is a program of the Academy for Professional Excellence at San Diego State University School of Social Work

Introductions Welcome & Blessing Pre-Test. Review of agenda, activities, and purpose of the day.

Landscape of California CA has the largest Native American population in the nation (333,511 / 2000 Census, US Census Bureau / CA is the State with the largest number of foster youth 35% of Tribal youth experience out of home placement (more than any other racial group)

Why are you here today?

Connection and Loss

Areas of Conflict in Non-Indian Relations -Economic -Cultural -Political

1.Economic: how best to secure access to Indian resources, land in particular 2.Cultural Transformation: how best to accomplish the cultural transformation of Indians into non-Indians 3.Political: how to maintain an effective of controls so that the problems 1 and 2 could be more satisfactorily resolved

500 Nations

Remarks of Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Department of the Interior at the Ceremony Acknowledging the 175th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs September 8, 2000 An Apology

In 2001, the Child Welfare League of America acknowledged wrongful involvement in the 1950’s/1960’s effort to facilitate the adoption of Indian children into White homes for the purpose of “saving” these children from their own culture and language.

The Indian Child Welfare Act

The Purpose of ICWA The purpose of ICWA is to protect the best interests of the Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by establishing minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their parents or Indian custodians.

TRIBE Federally recognized as defined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as eligible for Federal services provided to Indians

INDIAN CHILD èUnmarried, under 18 èMember of tribe OR èeligible for membership AND èBiological child of member of tribe

Order of Preference for Placement Least restrictive setting possible ~ In close proximity to the youth’s home Foster care placement preference: -With extended family (third-degree blood ties—first or second cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or stepparents) -With Indian foster parents approved by the tribe or with an Indian foster home licensed by the state, or -In residential care approved by the tribe. Adoptive placement preference: -Extended family -Non-related members of the same tribe -Other Indian families Tribes may alter the order of preference for its children, and the child welfare agency must follow this new order. Children’s Service Practice Notes, Volume 11, No. 2, February 2006

A Firsthand Account

Resilience: A New Word; An Old Meaning Native American Resilience Factors Spirituality Family Strength Elders Ceremonial Rituals Oral Traditions Tribal Identity Support Networks

Western Contemporary vs. American Indian Traditional Society Systems Name given Baptism Learns to use the toilet Goes on first date Learns to drive a car and obtains drivers license Gets first job Initiation into clan, moiety, or subgroup by ceremony Learns to assist with family chores Puberty rites: learns gender- specific roles, family, community, and tribal expectations First hunt or first menses Naming ceremony – establishing identity in relation to family, clan, moiety, and tribal context Rites of Passage

Traditional Indian vs. All American ValuesMainstream Values Clan/communal emphasisIndividual Emphasis SharingWinning Present-time orientationFuture Orientation SpiritualisticMaterialistic Time non-awarenessTime awareness Harmony with natureConquest of nature PassiveAggressive Giving/spendingAcquiring/saving Appreciates/honors silenceAvoids silence Respect of other religionsConverting/proselytizing (Source: The Indian Child Welfare Act, Handbook by Rose-Margaret Orrantia; Cultural Awareness; the Indian Perspective, Marilyn Robinson)

How Does History Impact Collaboration Today?

The Importance of Introductions…

Collaboration Is A Process Collaboration is the process by which several agencies or organizations make a formal, sustained commitment to work together to accomplish a common mission (The Community Collaboration Manual, National Assembly of National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations.)

Cross-Cultural Collaboration The principles of effective cross-cultural collaboration includes a recognition and appreciation of each participant’s world view, role and function and the values and mission of the organization they represent; and a jointly developed common mission, philosophy, and goals.

CollaborationCoordinationCooperation Commitment to common mission Understanding of compatible mission Individual interpretations of mission Mutual goals and plans Some planning and division of roles Informal structure Well-defined communication channels operating on many different levels Communication channels established Information shared as needed Resources contributed and pooled or jointly secured Resources availableLimited or no resources (Jones, et al., 1999).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING TRIBAL RELATIONSHIPS Creativity –unique welfare and Social issues combined with a distinct lack of precedent in collaboration demand a high amount of creativity in each stage of relationship development Patience- introduction is extremely important. It is also important to allow time for broad introductions of many Tribal members Preparation and Planning – research the particular Tribes and Tribal cultures in a respectful way, knowing Tribal leaders names, governing structures. Respect – sincere respect. It is crucial to be aware of the “Head of State” status that the Chief or Governor of the Tribe has. Native American women, people, and Tribes are the experts on their own lives. The goal is “to listen, understand, and learn to help.”

Who to Contact First? Personal phone call – then a letter and to the nearest ICWA rep or Tribal contact. Questions: Is there anyone in the community that has a special interest in the needs of tribal foster youth? Who do people go to for advice in working with tribal foster youth and young adults? Who at the health center is working with ICWA and can assist identifying tribal youth eligible for IL services? Who should I contact at the tribal council about our project and what is the best way to approach them? Develop contacts and become familiar with your local tribe. You may give a presentation at the local tribal council meeting. Be brief and keep tribal youth at the center of your presentation. Solicit support, input and guidance.

What If I’m NOT Native? Learn as much as you can about the local tribe(s), especially their history and relationship with federal and state programs. Take the time to learn about the key tribal organizations. Show that you are committed to being part of the community: attend community functions (fiestas, pow wows, cultural gatherings, health fairs, etc.).

The Circle of Care Youth are involved in each aspect of their care Supportive, two-way communication between all members Coordinated efforts to work with the youth Youth’s plan is driven by the youth and supported by all members

Recommendations For Working With Tribal Youth Build on young peoples’ connection to all living entities. Encourage and openly discuss their spiritual development. Recognize the vital role played by elders, aunts, uncles and other extended family, and blood-clan-moiety involvement and encourage their participation in these groups’ activities. Make use of the outdoors. Encourage generosity of spirit. Incorporate more cooperative learning activities. Respect their individualism. Allow for a longer response time. Be more flexible with timelines. Respect that learning can also occur through listening and in silence. (Munsell, G., 2004 Tribal Approaches to Transition: The john H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, NRCYS).

Stepping Into The Circle Thank you … for working to ensure that outcomes for Native American foster youth improve!

The Tribal STAR Project The Gathering (training for frontline workers) The Summit (training for management/supervisory staff) The Collaborative (1/2 day training for those who work with Tribal Youth) Statewide Training for Trainers Series (FFY 06-07) Statewide Training for MSW Students (FFY 07-08) Technical Assistance: –Independent Living / Trainer Forums –Tribal STAR website – Drumbeats bi-monthly e-newsletter –Community based collaborative support Trainer and other Forums

Training Package Developed for the Summit, Gathering & Collaborative Workbooks: Summit, Gathering & Collaborative Reflections Journal Digital Video Stories Resource CD Trainer and Participant curriculum Power Points on Contributions of Native Americans and Resiliency of Tribal youth

Collaborative Outcomes We expanded our partnership! Founding Partners Southern Indian Health Council SD HHSA Indian Specialty Unit Indian Health Council Partners Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel SD HHSA Independent Living Unit YMCA Youth & Family Services South Bay Community Services San Diego Youth & Community Services Intertribal Court of Southern California Pala Band of Mission Indians Social Services Department Valley Oaks Foster Family Agency San Diego Office of Education, Foster Youth Services

Collaborative Outcomes Independent Living classes now offered at the Indian Health Council (sponsored by YMCA YFS and IHC) Successful placements of Indian children in Indian homes Providers demonstrate gain in knowledge in Tribal culture = increase collaborative efforts Stronger regional and statewide supports for Tribal youth Tribal Community participates in County Peer Quality Review process Tribal STAR funding sustained for another three years through Academy efforts

Trainee Feedback….. “I have never experienced a training like the one you presented over those two short days. Every aspect of it was stellar, from the choice of curriculum to the teaching styles used.” “I have attended several different training's and this one is on the top of my list. I hope that there will be more training's in the near future. The trainers were great. The handouts and resource CD is awesome. My goal is to make an active effort in improving the quality of work and services to the Indian Youth.”

“Humankind has not woven the Web of Life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” -Chief Seattle-