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Grantee - Massachusetts

2005 Tribal Youth Program

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), MA

Project Title: Wampanoag Tribal Youth Program

Category: I

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will implement a Tribal Youth Program for 94 school age tribal children in Dukes County , on the Island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The goal of the program is to prevent juvenile delinquency and substance use. The strategy includes establishing a permanent "Youth Center" within the Tribal Community Center which will provide a safe, supervised space for activities and education on a daily basis; expanding the After School Program to run year round and provide cultural as well as prevention education and activities; providing a Peer Mentoring Program; and expanding the Tribal Mentoring Program. Performance measures will include those set forth in OJJDP's FY05 TYP solicitation.

2003 Tribal Youth Program

Tribe: Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

Project: Wampanoag Adolescent Program

Category: I. Prevention Services To Impact Risk Factors for Delinquency; II. Intervention for Court-Involved Youth; III. Improvement of Tribal Juvenile Justice Systems; IV. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

State: MA

Summary: The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The Tribal Youth Program addresses the disproportionate involvement of Wampanoag youth in alcohol-related status offenses and juvenile crime on the island and the lack of resources to provide services and alternatives for tribal youth. The program focuses on building knowledge about the Wampanoag culture, beliefs, and traditions to instill tribal pride and self-esteem. Through cultural education, the program teaches indigenous skills involving arts, crafts, song and dance, cooking, healing, and subsistence fishing and living. In addition, adult mentors provide personal cultural education and support to youth on probation. A tribal youth group provides leadership in determining the cultural and weekly afterschool program activities, including planning and implementation of community events such as powwows, concerts, and dances to which their nontribal neighbors are invited. Strong collaboration through intergovernmental agreements supports good relations between the tribe and local courts for referrals and access to services involving Wampanoag youth.