Framing Indigenous Identity Inclusion in Positive Youth Development: Proclaimed Ignorance, Partial Vacuum, and the Peoplehood Model

Authors

Joshua Farella, University of ArizonaFollow
Joshua Moore, University of ArizonaFollow
Juan Arias, University of ArizonaFollow
Jeremy Elliott-Engel, University of ArizonaFollow

Abstract

Indigenous youth are systemically underserved by 4-H and other positive youth development (PYD) organizations. Many underserved First Nation communities in the United States could greatly benefit from programs that foster youth thriving; however, these programs tend to be ineffective in creating culturally reflective spaces for Indigenous participants. In this article, we argue that the Peoplehood Model should serve as a unifying model for the inclusion of Indigenous identity in programming, and that cultural humility should be firmly integrated into program design and assessment. We also propose that, to support Indigenous youth thriving, PYD practitioners must intentionally create a “partial vacuum” that supports youth creating program context and thriving

Recommended Citation

Farella, Joshua; Moore, Joshua; Arias, Juan; and Elliott-Engel, Jeremy (2021) "Framing Indigenous Identity Inclusion in Positive Youth Development: Proclaimed Ignorance, Partial Vacuum, and the Peoplehood Model," Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 16: Iss. 4, Article 4.
DOI: 10.5195/jyd.2021.1059
Available at: https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol16/iss4/4