National Indian Youth Leadership Project
From Service-Learning Wiki
| This program was profiled in Growing to Greatness 2004. |
The National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is “to engage Native youth in challenging activities and meaningful experiences in the community and the natural world preparing them for healthy lives as capable, contributing members of their family, community, tribe, and nation.” NIYLP is based on traditional Native American values and concepts, including the Tsa-la-gi (Cherokee) people’s call for “Gadugi” — a call to bring people together to help one another.
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Service-Learning in the National Indian Youth Leadership Project
Project Venture is a youth development approach developed by NIYLP for Native youths and communities being replicated in at least twenty locations across the country. In 2003, Project Venture underwent the process to become officially recognized as a Model Program by NREPP and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Walking in Beauty is a youth development program tailored to adolescent girls. Walking in Beauty uses the traditional Navajo “Kinalda” ceremony and other culturally derived rites of passage. Web of Life is an experiential approach to healthy development.
Web of Life emphasizes outdoor adventure, service to the community, cultural discovery, health, wellness, and native values.
Turtle Island Project (TIP) is a multi-state effort to incorporate service-learning into schools that serve Native American youths and colleges that are training Native teachers, and developing policy to support service as a culturally appropriate teaching methodology.
Sacred Mountain Learning Center on Turquoise Mountain (Mt. Taylor) is undergoing renovation. NIYLP completed work on the Turtle Amphitheater, which will seat about 200 people. The shape honors Turtle Island, the traditional Native American name for North America. They also completed the first of several hogans (traditional Navajo structures) to be used as dormitories.
Scope of Service-Learning
Over 3,000 youths participate in NIYLP programs. The Project Venture Model is being replicated in 27 locations in 11 states, serving an additional 2,500-3,000 youths. Walking in Beauty provides direct service to 70 young women in two schools in New Mexico. Web of Life has 250 youths participating in three schools in three communities in New Mexico. 21st Century Program subcontracts with the Gallup McKinley School District to provide after-school academic and enrichment activities to 60 students in three schools.
Since 1995, foundation funding supported the TIP’s engagement of over 500 students in service-learning in more than 15 native community schools and tribal colleges. TIP provides technical assistance primarily in the southwest region. Project Venture K-6 and Project Venture Middle School have 250 youth participants in their programs. NIYLP publishes the Journal of Native Service-Learning and recently completed a book on the “Gathering of Elders” that has been conducted each year since 1993 at the National Service-Learning Conference.
Intended Outcomes
Results from NIYLP’s program evaluations since 1990 indicate consistently positive outcomes for youths in terms of personal and social competence, and prevention of risk behavior. These outcomes have resulted in Project Venture being named a “Promising and Effective Program” by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
