Native Youth Council presents mental-health findings and local solutions to Missoula City Council

All Nations Health Center's Native Youth Council presented to the Missoula City Council on April 14, reporting research and local work focused on mental health and suicide prevention for American Indian and Alaska Native youth.

Dana Kingfisher, Community Prevention and Health Promotion Director at All Nations Health Center, introduced the youth-led initiative and described the YAL (Youth Action Learning) curriculum as promoting participatory behavior, critical thinking and advocacy. "Our Yale program … helps promote participatory behaviors, social political awareness, critical thinking, problem solving, and public speaking," Kingfisher said.

Youth members relayed research findings. "In 2021, the suicide rate specifically among indigenous females aged 15 to 19 was five times greater than non-Hispanic white females in the same age range," said Julian Hiwalker, youth manager, summarizing slides the group presented. Presenters noted suicide rates for American Indian/Alaska Native populations rise beginning around age 15, peak in the 25-to-34 age range and decline after about age 35 (data cited by the presenters were drawn from their 2011–2021 materials shown in the slideshow).

Evander Scalp Cane, who identified himself as president of the Native Youth Council, and other members described community activity over the program year — language series, community events and outreach — and outlined recommended local solutions including culturally based programming in schools, nature programming, gym or recreation memberships, fair passes, free day camps, animal therapy, culturally relevant art classes and talking circles.

Council members thanked the youth for their presentation. Councilor Jordan said she appreciated the students' willingness to speak in a council setting. Councilor Becerra asked whether the youths' survey work had been shared in local schools; a youth presenter said a district-wide survey through Missoula County Public Schools had been planned but not completed because of time constraints.

Why this matters: Presenters highlighted pronounced disparities in suicide risk for American Indian and Alaska Native youth and offered culturally specific, community-based prevention ideas. The City Council received the information as part of an engagement effort by All Nations Health Center and the Native Youth Council.

What's next: The council encouraged the group to return for follow-up. All Nations and its Native Youth Council said they plan continued collaboration with local organizations and schools and to pursue community-based activities they listed during the presentation.

Presentation details: The Native Youth Council meets regularly (presenters said weekly or first-Wednesday meeting structures were used) and the YAL curriculum began in October; All Nations staff on the presentation included Dana Kingfisher and others listed in the slideshow.