Empowering Diné Youth and Reducing Alcohol Abuse Through

Hozho and K’e

BY: DENYSE HERDER

Research Project Grant Community Based Research Up to 5 years (Award Period)

From National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA)

NIAAA Interests Reduction of high risk drinking, alcohol misuse, promotion of moderate drinking, youth refrainment from drinking at early age, prevention of alcohol use among pregnant women

Target Population: Native Americans Alaska Native, American Indian, & Native Hawaiian

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: PAR-11-346Interventions for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Native

American Populations (RO1)

GRANT OPPORTUNITY CONT…

Eligible Organizations Higher Education Institutions Nonprofits For-profit organizations Governments

Tribal and non-tribal Other: Native American Tribal

Organizations, faith-based community organizations, independent school districts, public/Native American housing authorities

GRANT CONTACT Maryellen Connell Grants Management Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Blvd. Bethesda, MD  20892-9560 Telephone: (301) 774.-3803 Email: mconnell@nida.nih.gov

Health Promotion and disease prevention among Native American populations as a result of health disparities such as Chronic disease, substance abuse, mental illness, and HIV-infection prevalent within Native communities

To create, develop, and test culturally appropriate intervention program that will enhance Native American communities through promotion of healthy behaviors, healthy lifestyles.

Intervention Program should be developed in such a way that community resources will be able to sustain the program with the probability of promoting a similar program in other Native communities

Long-term goal:

Reduce morbidity & mortality in Native American communities!

GRANT PURPOSE

Respect Culture Family Community Children are

sacred, they are the future

Indigenous Values

There is potential in the cultures of indigenous peoples to heal their communities. Our youth are the future, they are leaders in the making. Within Native culture exists protective factors for youth against risky behaviors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0SmPoxuOY

Target Population Navajo Reservation: Leupp, AZ Community Navajo Youth grades K-12

Organization applying for funding: Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development sub office- Leupp Youth Center

As the only youth organization in the Leupp area, we strive to meet the recreational, social, cultural, and academic needs of our Dine youth, providing service to more than 50 youth, K-12th grade, and their families per week. Our facility provides a computer room, weight room, reading room, a summer activity program, tutoring, and an after school program.

Although Leupp center provides programs it lacks a culturally appropriate alcohol prevention program for youth.

Leupp Youth Center Goals Youth Resiliency, Wellness, & Leadership

Intervention Program:

Leupp is a bordertown to Winslow & Flagstaff AZ Incidents related to alcohol in Leupp Area

Fatal Car Crashes DUI Student Intoxication at school Domestic/Family Violence Child Abuse

Early onset of alcohol use among youth & impact of misuse “Most of the pre-teen boys to 18 years of age are the ones that I have

seen with substance abuse and alcohol problems, they party on weekends with friends and even their own families……They get to the point of not doing well in school... Most of my boys are coming from alcoholic families…the abuse and neglect that parents do to their kids is the reason why the boys say they do what they do…It comes down to dropping out of school and not having the desire to accomplish anything (Kristopher Herder, Residential Aid at Leupp Schools Inc. Dormitory, 2013).”

Intervention Program: A Need Exists

Intervention Program: Empowering Dine Youth and Reducing Alcohol Abuse

Through Hozho and K’é

Foundation K’é

Family & Clan Relationships “K’é is essential to a person’s inner peace and is what a person is to strive toward on

a daily basis….K’é involves the balancing of kindness and empathy on one hand and Navajo teaching on the other” (Parsons-Yazzie)

Helps strengthen family bonds-Promoting peace, respect, sense of responsibility Helps Build Community-fosters unity, sense of belonging to family & social group

How is K’é applicable to enhancing community health?

Hozho Beauty, Balance, Harmony Blessingway Ceremony based on Hozho Encompasses the good things in life

How does alcohol cause barriers to living one’s life in balance & beauty?

Intervention Program: Emphasis on importance of community (K’é)

K’é

• What do we want for our community?• Family & Community Activities• Parent & Youth Talking Circles• Presenters from community

Hozho

• What is hozho?• Staying safe & Keeping our bodies

healthy• How alcohol conflicts with Hozho:

Incorporation of cultural teachings

Outcome

• Youth sense of belonging in community

• Strengthening of families• Increased awareness of alcohol

misuse

Community

Involvement

Elder Participatio

n

School Participatio

n

Parents & Other

community members

Others: Health

Educators, Tribal

Government

Total Cost for Entire Project: $160,000 for 1 year Total Direct Costs: $100,000 Total Indirect costs: $60,000

Collaboration with the following stakeholders Local schools Navajo Nation Law Enforcement Navajo Nation Dept. of Behavioral Health Navajo Nation Youth Council Leupp Social Services Local Community Members & Leupp Chapter House

Curriculum 10 Classes

Emphasize alcohol education, community support of youth, importance of community, awareness of negative implications of alcohol misuse & Navajo cultural components to make material relevant to Navajo community wellness

Potential Barriers Level of commitment and involvement of community Opposition of a program that incorporates Diné culture Interpretation of Diné concepts

Program Details

Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character,

Contribution- Positive Youth Development Cultural participation by youth

Strengthening of family bonds & communication Collaboration with community knowledge holders

Enhancement of Leupp community health

Thank You!

Intervention Program: Outcomes

References 

 

Begay, S. (2003, Feb 27). Target: Drunk Drivers; Crownpoint opens MADD Chapter in Battle Against Drunk Driving. Navajo Times. Retrieved from http://libproxy.nau.edu/docview/225308527?accountid=12706

 Brokenleg, M. (2012). Transforming Cultural Trauma into Resilience. Reclaiming Children & Youth, 21(3), 9-13.

Cody Jr. (2013, Oct 29). Identifying local rez problems, want & needs and ideas. Message posted to https://www.facebook.com/groups/212688352243152/

 Friese, B., Grube, J. W., Moore, R. S., Paschall, M. J., & Seninger, S. (2011, January). Drinking behavior and sources of alcohol: differences between Native American and White youths. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and

Drugs, 72(1), 53+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA249876958&v=2.1&u=nauniv&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=35406df39f38047071ab3bdcbcaec6d6 HeavyRunner-Rioux, A. R., & Hollist, D. R. (2010). Community, Family, and Peer

Influences on Alcohol, Marijuana, and Illicit Drug Use Among a Sample of Native American Youth: An Analysis of Predictive Factors. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse, 9(4), 260-283. doi:10.1080/15332640.2010.522893  Kenyon, D., & Hanson, J. D. (2012). Incorporating Traditional Culture Into Positive

Youth Development Programs With American Indian/Alaska Native Youth. Child Development Perspectives, 6(3), 272-279. doi: 10.1111/j. 1750-8606.2011.00227.xKristopher Herder, interviewed by Denyse Herder, December 9, 2013.

 Long, W., Downs, A., Gillette, B., Kills in Sight, L. L., & Konen, E. (2006). Assessing Cultural Life Skills of American Indian Youth. Child & Youth Care Forum, 35(4), 289-304. doi:10.1007/s10566-006-9017-8

 Napoli, M., Marsiglia, F., & Kulis, S. (2003). Sense of Belonging lit School as a Protective Factor Against Drug Abuse Among Native American Urban Adolescents. Journal Of Social Work Practice In The Addictions, 3(2), 25-41. doi:10.1300J160v03n02_03

Parsons-Yazzie, E. (2007). Dine Bina’nitin Navajo Teachings Dine Bizaad Binahoo’aah Rediscovering the Navajo Language: An Introduction to the Navajo Language. Flagstaff, AZ: Salina Bookshelf.

Ross, G. (2013, Oct 9). Using Tradition to Teach our Kids Purpose: Mentorship Matters, Part II. Indian Country Today. Retrieved from

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/10/09/using-tradition-teach-our-kids-purpose-mentorship-matters-part-ii-151678 SAMHSA. (2013, Aug 26) (NACE) “Critical Dialoge with Native Youth about Underage Drinking: Our Culture is Prevention”. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0SmPoxuOY

Yellow, L.R. (2012, Feb 12). We have Issues in Tuba City. Navajo Times. Retrieved from http://www.navajotimes.com/opinions/2012/0212/021612letters.php

Images courtesy of Google Images & Denyse Herder photos