The National Center to Advance Peace for Children, Youth, and Families, in collaboration with the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, is excited to introduce a new campaign that emphasizes the vital role culture plays in supporting the well-being of Native families.
This campaign is a reminder that culture is not just a part of our past—it is a vital source of strength and connection for families today. Healthy families are deeply rooted in culture, and when we honor our traditions, we create the foundation for our children to thrive.
We celebrate the ways in which families stay connected to their heritage—whether through multi-generational living, participation in cultural celebrations, or the passing down of family traditions. These practices and others create a supportive environment where children and youth can thrive.
Even when families are farther from their homeland or ancestral lands, they continue to find ways to stay rooted in culture through community networks, storytelling, language preservation, and the celebration of traditional practices.
We also acknowledge the painful impact of colonization, particularly during the boarding school era, which sought to erase Indigenous cultures and disrupt family structures. Many traditions were nearly lost, but through resilience and determination, in addition to important legislation including the Indigenous Children Welfare Act (ICWA), Indigenous peoples are reclaiming and revitalizing their cultural practices.
This campaign encourages individuals to share their stories, offering a personal lens through which we can reclaim our collective history. By doing so, we not only heal from the wounds of the past, but we also uplift and strengthen the cultural practices that continue to shape our lives today.
Share Your Story: Strengthening Families Through Culture
We invite you to reflect on and share the ways in which Native culture has shaped your upbringing and family life.
How has living in a multi-generational environment positively impacted your life?
“mom never had to worry about child care, someone was always around to keep kids safe”“You could let your kids play in the front yard, aunties and uncles were neighbors so there was a sense of safety"
By sharing your experiences, you not only help to honor and uplift our shared cultural heritage, but also inspire others in our communities to continue strengthening their families through culture.
Submit an answer to any or all of the following prompts. You can submit your answer anonymously if you’d like. Each answer is limited to 100 characters.
Share the Campaign!
We invite you to spread the message that Native Families are Healthy Families by sharing the following images on your website, social media, and more.
- mom never had to worry about child care, someone was always around to keep kids safe
Watch to Learn More
Learn more about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) by viewing this future focused conversation with indigenous experts on ICWA and the critical role that American Indian and Alaskan Native children hold regarding the sovereign status of Tribal Nations.
