STN supports all youth in our communities to gain their voice about issues, expand and explore their creative skills, and build self-esteem to feel empowered. Our approach to support the youth in their empowerment and leadership journey started at the board of director level and grew to include the ideas from the youth.
STN Board Youth Representative
In 2012, when STN began, having a youth representative on the board of directors was important to the founders to include a voice for the future. The youth representative helps us plan programs and activities that reach out to youth who want mentorship, support, and encouragement to become the leaders of the Spokane tribal communities.
Spokane Tribal Youth Council
The aim of the youth council is to bring together middle and high school students from area schools as a collective voice and represent the tribal youth in all matters that concern them. Also, it is to promote the development of future tribal leaders, and to coordinate school and community service projects. The members of the council raise money every year to attend United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Annual Conference that is held every July. This is a place for youth to learn about being leaders in their communities.
Youth Peer Mediation
STN provides the funding to send young people interested in learning about mediation facilitation. The first group have students have graduated from high school and we have recently sent a second group for training. They have successfully mediated 8+ encounters.