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Native American Services

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OYA provides services for youth who identify as Native American. OYA collaborates with youth and the community to create opportunities for emotional growth and community awareness. OYA supports and fosters an environment where Native American youth can develop and explore their cultural identity. OYA offers Native American youth access to:
  • Cultural resources and mentorships
  • Cultural events
  • Youth development activities
These services are provided by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, also known as OIIR.

OYA has a Native American Advisory Committee that meets regularly at various locations throughout the state. Represented Tribes on the committee include:
  • Klamath Tribes 
  • Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation 
  • Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians 
  • Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Reservation 
  • Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon 
  • Burns Paiute Tribe 
  • Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians of Oregon 
  • Coquille Tribe of Oregon 
  • Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon 

Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA): NARA has family night for youth that is open to OYA youth in the community.

Senate Bill 770 Public Safety Cluster Group: OYA's Native American coordinator chairs this group. Membership consists of representatives of public safety agencies from both state and tribal governments. The Public Safety Cluster works toward a collaborative process to assist in the resolution of issues that affect both tribal and state governments.
OYA's Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR) helps coordinate special events, activities, and celebrations at OYA facilities, including:
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  • Smudging and prayers
  • Sweatlodge
  • Pow Wows
  • Drum Circle
  • Talking Circle
  • Native American arts and crafts
  • White Bison (Native American sobriety group)
  • Assistance with enrolling with tribes
  • Tribal history and research
  • Discussions on Native American cultural practices and history
As of July 2022, 55 youth in OYA custody self-identify as being enrolled in an American Indian/Alaska Native tribe or being of tribal descent. Of those, 53 were committed to OYA through the juvenile justice system and two were sentenced in adult court but placed with OYA due to their young age.

Relative to Oregon’s population of 10- to 17-year-olds, American Indian/Alaska Native youth are over-represented in the juvenile justice system and in OYA. American Indian/Alaska Natives make up about 1% of Oregonian juveniles but 6% of youth committed to OYA (as of July 2022).​ 

The 2021 Relative Rate Index, a comparison of youth of various ethnicities/races to their white peers, reports that American Indians are 2.3 times more likely to be referred to juvenile court. ​

​OYA is in need of foster parents for our Native American youth. If you are interested, please visit our foster care page.

OYA is always looking for volunteers to serve as community mentors. Learn more at our volunteer page​.

Contact 

Leslie Riggs

Tribal Liaison/Native American Program Coordinator 

503-428-4413
leslie.riggs@oya.oregon.gov