2003 Tribal Youth Program

Tribe: Eastern Band of Cherokee

Project: Cherokee Challenge

Category: IV. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

Tribe: NC

Summary: The Cherokee Challenge Program is a Cherokee-based replication of Project Venture, which is an experiential, learning-based program. The weekly Cherokee Challenge sessions explore Cherokee culture and use service learning, a hallmark of Project Venture, to further education and develop a sense of community responsibility and ownership. Cherokee Challenge partners with a number of organizations to provide service-learning opportunities and experiences for young people. In addition to Project Venture-based activities, Cherokee Challenge has a conflict resolution component that focuses on the reduction of violence in the schools by using peer mediators to handle violent altercations on campus. The conflict resolution component includes a truancy mediation process and accepts referrals for truancy from local schools. A special juvenile court mediation process helps with interventions for court-involved youth.

2000 Tribal Youth Program

Tribe: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Project: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Tribal Youth Programs

Category: I. Reduce, Control, and Prevent Indian Juvenile Crime; II. Intervention for Court-Involved Youth; III. Improvement to Tribal Juvenile Justice Systems; IV. Prevention Programs Focusing on Alcohol and Drugs

State: NC

Summary: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is proposing a series of youth programs to address the issues of violent crime among Native American youth. The culture-based Cherokee Challenge Prevention program targets 6th grade youth by focusing on adventure, service, and culture-based experiences to strengthen cultural awareness and prevent substance abuse. The Cherokee Challenge Seven Clans intervention program is structured around traditional learning circles for court-involved youth. The Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Program is conducted in schools. For truancy mediation, a preventive program mediator works with youth, family, and school personnel. The juvenile court mediation program provides interventions for court-involved youth based on traditional and restorative justice approaches. The RESOLVE: Life Skills Program addresses communication issues within families before and during court involvement.

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