In the Know 

A dozen youth aged 12-16 saw Alaska for the first time as tribal youth representatives to the National Congress of American Indians in June.  After putting in more than 150 hours of community service to earn their way, the Stewart Community Youth Council made the trip to advise and inform the conference about tribal youth attitudes toward meth use on the reservations.  They met with representatives of the Partnership for a Drug Free America and the Native Wellness Institute to create strategies to take back their communities.

Knowing tribal cultural practices, traditions and strengths is their theme.

The trip had cultural, educational and recreational components including written and verbal reports.  The intent was to have a forum for youth to speak openly and honestly about drug use on the reservation, according to Wanda Batchelor, Stewart chair.