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    The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program Manual

    The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program Manual describes a culturally grounded initiative by the Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center aimed at addressing child maltreatment among Lakota children and families. The program combines traditional Lakota teachings and ceremonies with modern child welfare practices, emphasizing healing, cultural reconnection, and holistic support through culturally competent case management, community education, and collaborative social service networking.

  • The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program Evaluation Report

    The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program, led by the Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center, offers holistic, culturally grounded advocacy and healing services for Lakota children and families affected by trauma and abuse. By integrating traditional Lakota customs, language, and ceremonies, the program fosters resilience, cultural identity, and wellness, addressing intergenerational trauma and supporting children through advocacy and community engagement. Evaluation findings show the program has a positive impact on children’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural well-being, highlighting the effectiveness of Indigenous approaches to healing and child welfare.

  • The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program Evaluation Brief

    The Zuya Yuha O’mani Program, led by the Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center, supports the healing of Lakota children and families affected by abuse through a holistic approach that incorporates Lakota cultural teachings, ceremonies, and values. Evaluation findings show the program effectively promotes well-being, nurtures relationships, and provides ongoing support rooted in tradition and community, fostering resilience and positive identity among children facing trauma.

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    My Two Aunties Facilitator’s Guide for the Cultural Family Life Skills Discussion Guide

    The My Two Aunties Facilitator’s Guide presents a culturally grounded program for Native families focused on preventing and addressing child maltreatment by revitalizing the traditional role of Aunties as mentors. The guide emphasizes family strengthening, cultural teachings, trauma-informed care, and community engagement, with adaptable lessons and holistic support provided for at least a year. The program aims to build resilience, cultural identity, and life skills through storytelling, traditional practices, and tailored facilitator training.

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    My Two Aunties Cultural Families Life Skills Discussion Guide

    The “My Two Aunties Cultural Family Life Skills Discussion Guide” is a resource based on Indigenous stories and traditions, aimed at strengthening families through culturally relevant life skills lessons. Using the metaphor of the oak tree, the guide provides lessons on trust, security, cultural identity, resilience, positive parenting, and healthy relationships, with each lesson featuring objectives, teaching points, activities, and discussion prompts to support cultural values and emotional well-being in Native families and communities.

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    My Two Aunties Implementation Guide

    The “My Two Aunties Implementation Guide” outlines a culturally grounded, trauma-informed wellness program for children and families, inspired by Indigenous traditions and the mentorship role of aunties. It details core components such as cultural teachings, tailored case management, and community advocacy, and provides practical guidance on program delivery, staff training, adaptation, evaluation, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and continuous quality improvement.

  • My Two Aunties Evaluation Report

    The My Two Aunties program, run by the Indian Health Council’s Tribal Family Services, is a culturally grounded initiative focused on preventing and addressing child maltreatment among American Indian and Alaska Native families by revitalizing traditional family skills and reducing stigma around social services. The evaluation found that the program effectively builds trust and authentic connections through “Aunties” who provide holistic, trauma-informed support, integrate cultural teachings, and foster resilience and healing from intergenerational trauma. Participants and staff reported strengthened families, improved collaboration among service providers, and increased feelings of support, optimism, and cultural pride.

  • My Two Aunties Evaluation Brief

    The My Two Aunties (M2A) program at the Indian Health Council works to prevent child maltreatment by restoring cultural family life skills and reducing stigma around social services through culturally grounded case management, storytelling, and community outreach. The program uses “Aunties” as community mentors who provide support and advocacy, blending traditional teachings with evidence-based parenting to empower families and promote healing. Evaluation findings show the program effectively builds trust, strengthens families, and fosters collaboration, serving as a model for other Tribal communities.

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    The Journey of Collaborative Evaluation With Tribal Communities

    The document outlines a seven-year collaboration between the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience and five Tribal communities to support and evaluate child maltreatment prevention and intervention programs. It highlights the importance of culturally grounded, community-driven evaluation methods that respect Indigenous knowledge, foster trust, and promote genuine partnerships. Key lessons include the need for flexibility, humility, reciprocity, and the integration of traditional knowledge, with examples of successful Tribal initiatives and culturally responsive evaluation tools that enhance family resilience and positive outcomes for Native children and families.

  • Literature Review Summary

    The literature review finds that resilience in American Indian/Alaska Native communities is best supported by culturally grounded approaches that incorporate family traditions, community healing, and bicultural skills for youth. Effective programs blend Tribal culture with established models, address both risk and protective factors, and emphasize unique sources of resilience such as historical trauma resilience, traditional healing, spiritual practices, and strong kinship ties—factors often overlooked in standard child welfare literature.