Teens helping teens work

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Teenagers working with their peers in community governments have an added advantage on their road to success: There is no need to bridge a generation gap within a youth council. "As adults, sometimes as much as we try, we can't do anything for our youths," said George Shields, a representative of the United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.

The American organization has seen the number of youth councils blossom from one original Oklahoma council in 1979 to 50 similar councils in the United States. The program was first discussed in Canada at the recent Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conference in Edmonton.

One reason for the concept's success is that teens feel empowered through their participation in local government with their peers, said Shields.

"Things change, times change fast. It's just not the same as when we were kids.

In youth councils, youths learn how to deal with things themselves. They are given a process to go through and learn to solve problems and find alternatives," he said.

Youth council gives teens the opportunity to develop programs they want to see in their communities while providing a format for the groups to follow, he said. The councils follows the lines of tribal councils, in which the participants develop a constitution, select officers and establish bylaws.

"It gives everyone a chance to voice their opinion in the government. Youth councils give us a chance to express our concerns and talk about our problems," said Bert Pruitt, 17.

Pruitt was one of 19 youths, supervisors and councillors involved in the Tahlequah Cherokee youth council attending the Healing Our Spirits conference. The Oklahoma Native sees himself as a role model for other teens in his community. The youth council offers fun and healthy alternatives to substance abuse while providing a support system teens can feel comfortable with.

"Youths are reluctant to talk to adults about what worries them. Youths can relate to other teens, though," Pruitt said.

Although the program is based on Cheyenne tribal councils, it is adaptable to any community.

"Regional differences are important to take into account. There is no wrong or right way to do this. The idea is to develop a youth council depending on your needs," said Shields.