Project: Culture and Youth Engagement Project Grantee: Covenant House Alaska Written by: Jason Searle Culture and Youth Engagement Project – A Partnership between the CIRI Foundation and Covenant House Alaska Covenant House Alaska (CHA) is a shelter for homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 13-20 located in Anchorage, Alaska. Although the shelter is … Read more
Project: Professional Production and Development for Alaska Native Playwrights Grantee: Perseverance Theatre Story by: Frank Henry Kaash Katasse This was what I told a group of students in the International Club at East High School. This room was filled with kids from all across the globe. I wondered if any had ever thought that writing … Read more
These images show the AFN broadcasts and the “Youth Media Makers” sessions from the Elders and Youth Conference.
Alaska’s Native Voice
I had the opportunity to participate in a Koahnic Broadcast Corporation project that was funded by a Heritage Project Grant from The CIRI Foundation. We attended the 2016 Alaska Federation of Natives event in Fairbanks, AK. I helped, along with several other people, teach our future generation the art of making sound modules that consisted of audio they captured throughout the Elders and Youth portion of AFN.
NYO Games celebrates the rich tradition of Alaska Native people, while providing a forum for our youth to achieve their personal best through healthy athletic competition. NYO Games are comprised of 10 Native games events that are based on skills and values needed to survive Alaska’s harsh environment.
NYO is a year-round program that instills important values including teamwork, leadership, and respect. A survey completed by more than 400 student athletes emphasized NYO’s important impact, with 77% responding that participation in NYO was a factor in staying in school and/or keeping their grades up, and nearly 66% indicating improved self-confidence. 88% participants responded that they saw themselves as a role-model to other youth through their participation in the Games, and many cited healthy behavioral modifications, including reduction of tobacco and alcohol use.
CITC is extremely proud to host NYO Games Alaska, working with communities throughout the state, and local and national partners, as we have done for 47 years. Hosting NYO Games Alaska itself is a team effort and we are grateful for The CIRI Foundation’s loyal commitment in supporting the NYO program.
Dustin Newman & Tatiana Petticrew
We had Dustin Newman and Tatiana Petticrew share with our students the items that they made for our classrooms, Dustin made bentwood visors and Tatiana made Unangax regalia. The students were able to touch all the items and learned a little history about each. Dustin made the visors match each classroom animal and Tatiana made a girl and boy regalia item for each class.