"Native HOPE is a suicide prevention, peer-counseling curriculum (youth helping youth). This program addresses suicide prevention, violence prevention, stress and trauma, and depression. Clayton Small, PhD (Northern Cheyenne), created this curriculum in 2004 because he realized that most suicide prevention programs simply provided education and awareness and did not incorporate cultureand strength-based approaches or integrate healing into the process. Because of the historical context already examined, Native PRIDE recognized that these enhancements were critical to the Native HOPE curriculum. In addition, the interactive, Native HOPE curriculum allows AI/AN people to address serious health and wellness challenges while having fun learning.
"The curriculum is delivered to approximately 2,000 youth per year in school and community settings throughout Indian Country. It consists of a 1-day training of trainers of local teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, social workers, spiritual and traditional healers, and so on. They practice being a clan leader and assist Dr. Small in conducting a 3-day training with youth. This team walks through the program, practices skills in group process and facilitation, and is present during the 3 days. This builds capacity of this team to replicate the training in the future with other youth from their school and community. The process moves fluidly from the large group to small clan groups. The adult-youth ratio is one adult to from six to eight youth in the clan groups. The youth know immediately that this is a cultural gathering because of the use of prayer, humor, songs, dances, artwork, and medicines such as cedar, sage, and sweet grass. The youth and adults are challenged to share their tribal-specific culture during the 3-day retreat."
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