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Group of Squaxin teens
goes online to aid tribe gym Wgw
By Isabella Breda
isabe/la@masoncountycom .
Cultural preservation, mental
health and social change have been the
primary topics of discussion since the
Squaxin Island Teen Program went
fully online.
“They represent not all of the youth,
but they are a representation of the
youth,” Jaime Cruz, Squaxin Island
Teen Advocate said. ,
As soon as it was announced that
COVID-19 was spreading within the
United States, the Squaxin Island
Tribe implemented mandatory social
distancing policies, which initially
came as a challenge to the teen group
that relied heavily on in-person gather-
ings.
“When we first tried to do Zoom it
was definitely interesting,” Cruz said.
Soon, however, the teens were back
in the groove, developing skills to be-
come leaders in' their community.
They shifted their typical commu-
nity service activities into recording
public service videos reminding the
community to mask up and offering
games and activities that can be done
at home.
Nicole Rowell, a senior at Shelton
High School and the group’s social
media coordinator, dedicated her time
to edit and produce the PSA videos —
something that will help her build her
resume for a career in multimedia,
Cruz said.
While the group doesn’t know when
they will be able to gather again for
stick weaving, and song and dance,
they have been able to cherish those
traditions through texts written by In-
digenous authors.
The middle and high schoolers be-
gan two book clubs, breaking into en-
lightened discussions about books by
Sherman Alexie, an Indigenous author
from Seattle and Tommy Orange, a
Cheyenne and Arapaho author.
The book clubs became the corner-
' stone of the group’s socially distant cul-
tural engagement.
“We were able to create some really
good dialogue,” Cruz said.
In addition to cultural connections,
Squaxin Island youths have been able
to engage with Indigenous small busi-
ness owners and historians during
their virtual meetings.
“One of the goals in our education
system is to get kids talking about what
to do after high school,” Cruz said.
Felicia Stepwhite, a salon owner,
discussed how to start and manage a
successful small business and histori-
an and civil-rights activist Nancy Ship-
pentower discussed how to preserve
Indigenous stories of the region.
After the slaying of George Floyd, an
ex—tribal police officer attended a meet-
ing to discuss police brutality.
“They got to talk about how they felt
about George Floyd that was a really
good session,” Cruz said.
Cruz said these discussions about ‘
making social change are very impor-
tant, because one of the primary goals
of the group is taking care of the teens’
mental and physical well-being.
“The goal of Squaxin Teens is ulti-
mately prevention, we have a (Depart-
ment of Justice) grant and get (Dedi-
cated Marijuana Account) money from
Washington state — we’re just trying
to keep the kids sober,” Cruz said. “I
think it’s especially important to talk
about mental health.”
In light of the pandemic, the group
began Talk about it Tuesdays, offering
a safe space for youths to talk through
what they are experiencing.
“We talk about how things are mak-
ing them feel and what could go bet-
ter,” Cruz said.
To take care of the broader commu-
nity’s mental health, the teens are or-
ganizing a virtual 5K run or walk for
the month of September. Details are
forthcoming.
The work of the Squaxin Island
Youth Council, a part of the teen pro-
gram, builds up to the United National
Indian Tribe Youth conference, where
tribal youths have the opportunity to
be recognized for their leadership with-
in their community.
“Our ultimate goal is to partner in
an organization called UNITY,” Cruz
said. “It puts out challenges and de-
cides the youth council of the year. It
basically encourages them to be envi-
ronmental stewards and encourages
Native youth across the country to take
part in any community service activity
or things that will benefit the earth.”
Ti-IE GOAL OF SQUAXIN
TEENS IS ULTIMATELY
PREVENTION... WE’RE
JUST TRYING To KEEP THE
KIDS SOBER," TEEN
ADVOCATE JAIMIE CRuz
SAID.
YOUTH TAKING
THE LEAD
\\\n““““
ON JULY 16 YOUTH LEADERS FROM
UNITY CO—LED A CONGRESSIONAL
FORUM ON "NATIVE YOUTH
PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH
AND HEALING" WITH RUBEN GALLEGO
‘ (D-ARIZ.).
,‘1
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 - Shelton-Mason County Journal — Page A-7
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