Native American Youth In The Juvenile Justice System

that comprehensively combat juvenile delinquency through appropriate prevention,
intervention, and sanction activities.
Although there are few evidence-based programs that focus on NA/AN youth disparity
issues, there have been some successful programs for improving their juvenile justice
outcomes:
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe’s Talking Circles
The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota began their Talking Circles program in
2011 as a part of the girls’ juvenile probation as an alternative to detention. The
program functions to connect the youth with positive role models and mentors from their
community.
Participating in Talking Circles allows the young women to discuss whatever they are
thinking about (positive or negative), resolve conflict, and choose how to manage their
circle. Participants in this program have been reported to have a decrease in suicide
attempts, reduction in gang activity, improved school attendance, increase in graduation
rates, and overall improved compliance with probation conditions.
Village of Kake, Alaska’s Adult and Youth Circle Peacemaking
The Kake Youth Circle Peacemaking group is an Alternative Dispute Resolution Group.
The Alaska State Court System orders that minors consuming alcohol and first time
offenders be diverted to the Kake Youth Circle Peacemaking group. Youth participants
act as the facilitators while adults are often invited to participate and support from the
community is essential. The group’s success has been measured through Tribal
member’s participation, the time taken to hear cases, and the restoration of
relationships. There are additional circles held for follow-up cases and celebration
circles for participants who have achieved milestones.
Tribal Youth Programs and Services
Resources
This webpage from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention provides
brief summaries of programs and services geared towards tribal youth to prevent
victimization and juvenile delinquency, reduce violent crime, and improve juvenile
justice systems.
Building Culturally Relevant Youth Courts in Tribal Communities
This resource by American Indian Development Associates draws on the ideas and
expertise of many who work in youth courts throughout the United States, as well as on
the experience of staff at the National Youth Court Center at the American Probation
and Parole Association, who research and work with youth courts on a national level.
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