Intergenerational Dialogue Exchange and Action with Alaska Native Youth
Integrating Mentorship and Digital Storytelling to Promote Wellness for Alaska Native Youth
This film discusses the school-based Intergenerational Dialogue Exchange and Action (IDEA) program, which integrates research on the importance of mentorship, intergenerational connections, cultural identity, and narrative development for youth well-being. We discuss how the program was implemented at a residential high school serving Alaska Native youth in Nenana, Alaska, initial findings from a pilot study, learning experiences, and implications for Indigenous education. IDEA engages youth through a three-step process by which they 1) listen to role models share culturally-relevant life lessons from their experiences overcoming difficulties; (2) integrate these into their own narratives through facilitated dialogues and reflective writing; and (3) share these positive identity narratives through digital storytelling. IDEA links western and Indigenous education, and integrates a focus on cultural strengths to promote positive youth development. It offers a practical approach to health promotion that extends traditional intergenerational and culturally-relevant life-skills education into a school setting for Alaska Native youth.
Research conducted by Inna Rivkin, Center for Alaska Native Health Research and Department of Psychology, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Jessica Black, Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development and Tribal Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Ellen D. S. Lopez, Department of Psychology, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Eric Filardi, Nenana City School; Maya Salganek, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Janessa Newman, Jeremy Haire, Mildred Nanouk, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Jacques Philip, Center for Alaska Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Donald Charlie, Nenana Native Association; Lisa Wexler, Department of Health Promotion and Policy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Film Director/Producer - Maya Salganek
Editor - Eric Barragan
Editing Supervisor - Daniel Walker
Colorist - Andrew Glynn
Supported By:
Alaska INBRE and The University of Alaska Fairbanks
IDEA is facilitated within a community-academic partnership between:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Nenana School
Nenana Native Association
Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions
All IDEA-related processes and materials are developed with guidance from the Nenana Community Steering Committee (CSC) comprising local agency members and diverse perspectives.
Archival Images Provided By:
Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center
Produced by UAF FRAME Productions 2019