A Prevention Program for 8-12 year old girls!

This is a year long educational program designed for Native American girls. It is can be facilitated by a caring adult and incorporate the wisdom and expertise of local community members, grandparents and Elders. It can be delivered in schools, churches, boys and girls clubs, or at someone's home. Training for facilitators is available through White Bison, Inc.

Daughters of Tradition Kits
Set of 14 Posters, My Journal, Daughters Booklet, and T-Shirt

Facilitator's Kit
Set of 14 Posters, My Journal, Daughters Booklet, T-Shirt, set of instructional videos, and facilitator's manual

Girls Learn that they are "good for something, good at something."

• Learn how their own cultural traditions and ceremonies can provide a framework for healthy lifestyles

• Understand how the various aspects of respect can provide them with a set of values for living

• Learn how to express their feelings, hopes, dreams and fears both in writing and in safe talking environments

• Learn from elders, peers and community members about ways to recognize, avoid, and get help for problems that they see or experience

• Know what it is like to belong to a healthy group and participate in healthy thinking and healthy activities — and to make healthy decisions

• Learn to understand and how to apply the Eight Thought Patterns and Eight Feelings in their lives

Girls will become aware of and be able to discuss their feelings

• Girls will recognize healthy behavior and learn how to avoid unsafe situations

• Girls will understand the meaning of anger, fear, shame, and guilt

• Girls will understand and apply spiritual values to their lives and experience healthy behaviors as a result

• Adults will have the opportunity to lead girls in discussion groups, sharing experiences, learning new concepts and learning how to help each other

The Elders told us: "You must teach your daughters respect and you must teach them to pray!"

Based upon the Teachings of the Elders
Elders and Clan Mothers from many different tribes shared the teachings with us to pass along to the girls. Some of those teachings include:

• Teachings of the Medicine Wheel

• Cycle of Life—Eight Thought Patterns

• and Eight Feelings

• Innate Knowledge (Original Instructions)

• Spirit and Intent

• Four Laws of Change

Reviewed and Tested by Girls in many Communities
Daughters of Tradition has undergone an extensive review process in which community leaders, girls, and parents of many different communities around the country have examined the curriculum, tried out the curriculum and have provided feedback to enhance and improve it. It is culturally relevant and age appropriate.

Prevention Topics include:

• a letter from Grandma

• a story about alcohol and opportunity to identify what it does to individuals, families, the community and the nation

• facts about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, depression, suicide etc

• facts and prevention notes about sexual abuse, domestic violence, a dater's bill of rights, and what healthy relationships look like

• opportunities to think about the way that friendships influence behavior and attitudes

• creating mind maps of positive and negative behaviors

• "Culture as Prevention"(notes about elders as mentors, Native American Naming ceremonies, etc)

• a "Word Find" game based on prevention words and traditions

• personal stories from girls

• a place to record telephone numbers of emergency services

• sources for facts on alcohol, suicide, substance abuse, depression

Posters on Respect provide the Themes for each session.
Girls meet with the facilitator for 2 hours each week for a year. The theme for each month is based upon the themes illustrated on the posters. Talking circles provide the girls with the opportunity to establish trust, feel a sense of security, create supportive relationships with other girls and the faciltiator. In the sessions girls participate in talking circles to share their insights on the themes and prevention issues, create mind maps on the posters with the other girls, and participate in special projects such service work, learning traditional skills and crafts, participating in and learning how to plan cultural activities and community events. Poster themes include:

Grandma Says: Respect
Show Respect for Yourself
Show Respect for Your Body
Show Respect for Young Women
Show Respect for Young Men
Show Respect for Your Family
Show Respect for Cultural Traditions
Show Respect for Spiritual Life
Show Respect for Your Elders
Show Respect for The Community
Show Respect for the Earth
Show Respect for Property
Follow the Good Mind
Keeping Cultures Fires Burning

• Click here to download the PDF Daughters of Tradition Flyer