Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

A Boys & Girls Club can be found at the most eastern point in Maine, in the Great Plains, the Hawaiian Homelands and many Alaskan Villages. But our work is far from over. Read on to find out which tribes and communities are joining the movement.

The Wiyot Tribe in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods celebrated the grand opening of the Boys & Girls Club of Wiyot Country at Table Bluff Reservation on Wednesday, March 26th. Though Boys & Girls Clubs are common on reservations elsewhere in the country, this new Club is one of only two Native American Boys & Girls Clubs in California. Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country provide a positive place to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens by celebrating their culture and community, enjoying healthy fun with their peers, and learning new skills and self-confidence under the guidance of responsible adults.

The ceremony began with a short presentation by Chief Professional Officer Jeff Jacobs. This was followed by the presentation of a plaque recognizing the Club as a new unit by Alan Anspach the Regional Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The plaque was presented to Wiyot Tribe Social Service Director Michelle Vassel. Many prominent community members attended the event including representatives of the Redwood Capital Bank, the Loleta Chamber of Commerce Humboldt County Library, United Way, Two Feathers Native American Family Services, Center for Indian Community Development, California Tribal TANF Partnership, Wiyot tribal council and staff, and Boys & Girls Club directors from throughout the county. More than 100 children attended the event each of which received a Boys & Girls Club of Wiyot Country tee-shirt.

On June 1st the Hualapai Indian Tribe celebrated the dedication and grand opening of the 6,000 sq. ft. Boys & Girls Club of Peach Springs. The ceremony included performances by the Hualapai Elderly Dancers, Hualapai Youth Gourd Singers, and the Hualapai Youth Dance Group. Following the ribbon cutting, Club tours were provided and the Club hosted a community cookout. More than 200 children, parents, community members and tribal leaders were in attendance and 93 children registered as Club members on opening day!

The Boys & Girls Club of Peach Springs will serve 250 children and 100 teens attending the two schools on the reservation. The Club is the only after school program available and will provide members direct access to educational enrichment and technology education which was previously non existent. The Hualapai Tribe will subsidize the Club’s operational expenses and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale will act as the Organizing Club for the Peach Springs Branch for the next three years in order to help manage and mentor the facility and staff.

White Mountain Apache Opens Club in Arizona

The Boys & Girls Club of the White Mountain Apache Tribe held a Grand Opening event on April 12, 2006. Approximately 500 people were in attendance. The event included entertainment, food, door prizes, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Jane Deal, Regional Service Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America addressed the crowd. Other speakers included Brian Yazzie of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Rochelle Lacapa, Advisory Board President, and local Boys & Girls Club administrative staff. Door prizes included iPods, bikes, skateboards, backpacks, and safety gear. Plaques were given to individuals and organizations that helped the Club open its doors.

The Club currently has 250 enrolled members and serves approximately 135 youth each day. This summer they will offer SMART Moves, Crest Cavity-Free Zone, diabetes prevention, and field trips, among other Club activities.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lumbee Tribe in Pembroke, NC held the Grand Opening of their second Club unit on March 1, 2006. About 40 people attended the celebration at the District 11 Boys & Girls Club, including local politicians, school principal, tribal chairman and tribal administrator. Junior Miss Lumbee sang for the crowd and KidsvilleNews magazine sponsored singing and dancing. Refreshments were also served.

The District 11 Club has enrolled 60 Club members in its first month of operation. They expect to serve 200 community members. Activities include Power Hour, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, singing and tribal dancing.