How the Assets Framework Aligns with Traditional Native Values By AASB Staff
What do children and youth need from parents, teachers, and other adults to be successful? There’s no specific recipe to follow, or formula to adhere to. Support for youth can come in many different forms. Alaska ICE uses a simple and effective framework to engage Alaskans in creating a positive environment around kids: Developmental Assets. It is based on 60 years of social science research compiled by the Search Institute that identifies 40 assets-- concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. There is close alignment between developmental assets and the traditional Native values that form the foundation of many rural Alaska communities. One of the strengths of the asset approach is its power to honor and strengthen the unity that exists among all people. The assets list is not exhaustive. It is a moldable framework that can be adapted by different cultural groups for the best fit. The more assets a child has, the better they do in school and the less likely they are to engage in unhealthy risk behaviors. Children and youth develop assets through relationships with supportive adults, and all children need multiple supportive adults in their lives.
Everyone has a role in youth success. Here’s what you can do.
In Helping Kids Succeed – our publication ‘by and for Alaskans’ that has introduced the 40 assets framework to many people across the state – we intentionally incorporated and highlighted ideas related to Alaska Native communities. In 10 instances Elders and rural village residents refined the general assets definitions to reflect more traditional ways. View the “Alaskanized” assets list here. Read ‘A Tale of Two Cultures’ (from HKS pp 20-21)
Reading Event in Barrow page 2
Floyd Dryden DVD Project page 3
Websites to Check Out page 4
Kids These Days • March 2011 •
Arts Training Project Funding page 5