Indigenous Mentors Protecting Ancestral Cultural Tribal Traditions

• Indigenous Mentors Protecting Ancestral Cultural Tribal Traditions

IMPACTT purpose statement is to arm Native youth with the traditional knowledge and educational skills to become future leaders.

We aim to bolster our communities by employing cultural education as a preventative measure, while simultaneously empowering Native youth to advocate for themselves through active engagement in youth organizing and community participation.

IMPACTT (Indigenous Mentors Protecting Ancestral Cultural Teachings Team) is a Native American Youth Leadership Program initiated by Native Dads Network. Rooted in culture, spirituality, and ceremonial practices, IMPACTT functions as a youth prevention program.

We actively collaborate with youth, hosting workshops aimed at reestablishing their traditional identity and equipping them with the tools to become advocates for creating positive change within their communities. Through these workshops, listening sessions, and traditional teachings, we nurture the growth of future leaders, empowering them to effect lasting change.

IMPACTT Yolo is a mural project that spanned 5 weeks of workshops, a week of painting where 12 youth ages 14-18, learned, designed, and painted a mural in Woodland that represented that original Patwin culture, and ceremonial practices. This was a collaboration with Hope through Art and Woodland Joint Unified.

IMPACTT Twin Rivers is a mural project that was hosted during summer school and consisted of 15 youth participating in a week of workshops that prepped them to paint a mural at Grant High School that accurately represented the original Miwok/Nisenan culture and ceremony. This was a collaboration with Hope Through Art and Twin Rivers Unified.

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