Youth/Elder Outreach Initiative

  
     The crisis of identity among Native American youth today is one of the most critical issue for the future development of indigenous communities. Given the tremendous damage to traditional social form (ceremonies, material culture, sustainable economies , etc.) that has occurred, many Native youth are forced to seek a sense of identity in other places, such as the structured environment of gangs or the nihilism of drugs.

     TOCA's Youth/Elder Initiative works with our community's young people to help them develop a strong sense of identity rooted in the O'odham Himdag - the Desert People's Way. Youth participate and take leadership in TOCA's traditional singing and dance group, contribute to the revitalization of ceremonies, participate in a traditional arts summer program, and help lead the Tohono O 'odham Basketweavers Organization. Through this process, TOCA is helping youth face into their crisis of identity, learn "who they are," and develop the skills they will need in order to lead the Tohono O'odham community into the future.