With funds from the Peter Mack and Jamie Mayerfeld award I have continued to work on the Indigenous Youth Prevention Survey, work that I feel a profound sense of purpose and excitement about. Collaborating with two dedicated Indigenous youth homelessness workers in Washington State, who work on state-level and national system change initiatives, has been an enriching experience. One of my partners is a young Indigenous person with lived experience in homelessness and foster care, which has provided invaluable insights into the realities faced by our community.
Our initial discussions centered on developing survey questions that resonate with Indigenous youth and accurately capture their experiences. We aimed to create a survey that addresses the issue of homelessness and emphasizes the importance of cultural practices, family connections, and community support in prevention strategies. The feedback we received from local Seattle and King County agencies working with youth experiencing homelessness was instrumental in refining our approach. They offered practical ideas on executing the project effectively, ensuring that our survey would be relevant and impactful.
As we progress, I am particularly focused on writing a brief highlighting our survey findings. This brief will emphasize prevention from an Indigenous perspective, crafted by and for Indigenous people. Our research must reflect our community’s voices and experiences, allowing us to advocate for culturally grounded solutions to youth homelessness.
One of the most energizing aspects of this project was the response from young people who participated in the survey. Their stories and insights are not just data points but narratives that uplift our broader community. I am inspired by their resilience and hope, which fuels my commitment to this research. It is empowering to know that we are creating a platform for these voices to be heard, potentially influencing policy changes in the youth homelessness sector.
In our discussions, we have emphasized the need for reconnection and reunification with family and culture as vital components in mitigating Indigenous youth homelessness. This is especially relevant for those who have experienced removal from their families or have been in systems of care, such as foster care. The data indicates that Indigenous youth who age out of these systems face heightened risks of homelessness. By exploring how kinship placements can reduce this risk, we aim to highlight effective strategies for prevention.
Additionally, we recognize that proximity to tribal land plays a significant role in accessing cultural elements essential for healing and support. Many displaced Indigenous youth may struggle to connect with their cultural roots when they are far from their tribes. This reality often leads them to select “other” when asked about cultural practices in the survey, indicating a gap in understanding their unique challenges. We want to ensure that our survey captures these nuances, as acknowledging these barriers upfront can lead to more comprehensive responses.
As we expand this study nationally, I am committed to ensuring our findings resonate across diverse tribal contexts. The brief we plan to release by the end of November will serve as a summary of our findings and a call to action for policymakers. We aim to ensure that Indigenous thinking and practices are central to youth homelessness prevention strategies.
The journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. I feel incredibly energized by the potential impact of this research on my community and beyond. Uplifting the narratives of Indigenous youth while working towards meaningful policy change is an incredible opportunity.
I look forward to continuing this important work and making a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth at risk of homelessness.