Positive youth development in American Indian and Alaska Native communities was the focus of a White House “Compassion in Action Roundtable” held on Nov. 13.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) President and Chief Executive Officer Gloria O’Neill and CITC student Debra Naaqtuuq Dommek served as guest panelists for this important event.
Hosted by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF), this roundtable celebrated the successes of public-private-tribal partnerships that provide innovative and culturally responsive services to empower Native youth to fulfill their endless potential.
CITC creates a sense of belonging and community for Native students and their families within 10 public schools across Anchorage. They provide teams of staff, including teachers, assistant teachers, family advocates, counselors, and others to teach core content accredited classes and support student achievement and well being.
“Cook Inlet Tribal Council really helps Native students succeed. They have a school-within-a- school program where they teach core classes and provide a place where students can feel safe to be who they are,” said Dommek.
