THRIVE 2023 Brings Youth Together

Aurora Martinez Samish Indian Nation

THRIVE Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator

An exciting week of learning, growing, and finding themselves, youth from the Pacific Northwest and beyond gathered in Portland, Oregon, for the annual THRIVE Conference hosted by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s (NPAIHB) THRIVE suicide prevention project. Approximately 40 Native youth representing 11 federally recognized Tribes joined the conference from June 26th-June 30th. Youth at THRIVE 2023 led lunchtime prayers, sang traditional songs, spoke up and asked questions, and shared their skills with other youth. The We R Native team created a great video about the first day of the THRIVE conference. https://youtu.be/PcwYMVojw3o

The five-day agenda comprised guest speakers, and each youth participated in one of four interactive workshops that taught art, healthy lifestyles, and coping during challenging times. Topics discussed included exploring healthy ways to cope with stress, building community connections, and how to channel complex life events into positive outcomes, such as creating song lyrics and making music, art through do-it-yourself Screen-Printing techniques, diving into movement, exercise, and nature, or learning about pathways into public health. Each session incorporated American Indian/Alaska Native culture, traditional learning strategies, and skill-building activities that educated youth about healthy decision-making.

For the 13th year, We R Native Project Coordinator Thomas Ghostdog Jr. led Movement is Medicine, a workshop inspired by the many ways to incorporate movement into one’s life. Eleven Native youth from the Northwest region learned fun and exciting ways to keep their bodies and minds active. Youth learned about traditional and modern accessible forms of movement, such as canoeing, frisbee golf, and stickball. They also learned how the activity promotes mental health and the intersections of movement and art. With numerous indigenous community leaders helping the We R Native workshop facilitators, inspiration and engagement by the youth were easy to come by.

In the Screen-Printing workshop, youth practice healthy ways to express emotions, work toward goals, and create change in their community. Eight Native youth learned from artist N. O. Bonzo and NPAIHB staff mentors how to create their own designs, adapt designs they enjoy and implement various DIY (do-it-yourself) home-friendly screen-printing techniques. Youth completed multiple projects, including small prints, patches, bags, and shirts that they gifted to their families and home communities and to give to others at the THRIVE conference.

Fourteen youths participated in Beats Lyrics Leaders (BLL), led by J. Ross Parrelli, who celebrated her 13th year with the conference, and a group of incredible mentors. BLL joined our conference for the 11th year; BLL worked with youth through a hands-on approach to learning as they taught each participant the ins and outs of beat making, lyric/songwriting, song structure, and recording. Youth left with a sense of purpose, belonging, understanding, and pride in one’s culture. This family-like environment taught goal setting, empowerment, confidence, skill development, public speaking, creative writing, and how to strengthen their communities. Youth recorded many songs, including “L.O.V.E,” for which they created a music video to accompany: click here to watch the video—direct Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et5zsGO9_9U. You can listen to all songs recorded during the 2023 THRIVE conference here. Direct link: https://soundcloud.com/beatslyricsleaders.

The Final workshop was the NW NARCH Public Health Research Academy, a partnership with the Northwest Native American Research Center for Health. Youth in this workshop applied to be part of this year-long learning journey which kicked off as a workshop at the THRIVE conference. These high-school students were introduced to public health pathways, participated in hands-on prevention activities, and enjoyed campus tours and field trips throughout Portland, OR.

The conference hosted guest speakers each day to teach the youth about healthy lifestyles. At the beginning of our conference, Shane Lopez Johnston from NARA hosted welcoming activities, including traditional games. Dolores Jimerson of NPAIHB taught youth about Safety and Compassion in a big city like Portland, OR.

The Paths (Re)Membered project partnered with educator Mick Rose to teach youth about gender expression and how we live out our genders. Matchstick Consulting led youth in practicing skills to cope with stress and finding Sources of Strength (see: sourcesofstrength.org/). The youth were active and playful outside during a games session led by We R Native. Finally, Rosanna Jackson with YouthLine Native (see: theyouthline.org/) led a session focused on self-care, identifying depression and other mental health struggles, and additional ways to cope with stress.

Throughout the Conference, chaperones were learning too! Not only did chaperones learn by watching the youth they brought, but they also learned during curated chaperone sessions. Chaperones learned many skills and tools to take back to their communities from the Paths (Re)Membered project; We R Native and Healthy Native Youth.

We also had two nights, one sponsored by NARA, with a culture night and a night of games. During the culture night, guest dancers and presenters shared their culture with the youth. Youth also stepped up and shared their culture. Instructors also shared the story of SlaHal (Bone game), followed by playing the game. Youth could bowl, play games, have popcorn, have fountain drinks, and spend time together during the game night.

The conference ended with a youth showcase filled with musical performances, speeches, art displays, and skill and technique demonstrations. Laughter, stories, and proud smiles were abundant.

Thank you to all the Tribes, chaperones, facilitators, presenters, and staff who invested in these talented youth and created a successful in-person conference! Don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s conference, which will be held June 24-28, 2024, in Portland, OR.

Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by funding from the Indian Health Service (IHS) and grant numbers SM082106 and TI083243 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS, or IHS.