Native youths in Florida are calling for change as a new report from the Center for Native American Youth highlighted persistent challenges they face, from limited access to culturally relevant resources to inadequate representation in education and public policy.
Cheyenne Runsabove, associate director of youth programs at the center, part of the Aspen Institute, said the findings highlighted disparities in resource access and call for greater representation and recognition of Native identities in education and public policy.
“How can we expect our Native youth to go into the educational system and truly thrive when their own histories and identities are not being shared to any extent within the history?” Runsabove asked.
Florida’s Native Youth
Native youths ages 18-24 across Indian Country weighed in on what matters most important to them. Those in rural areas indicate facing significant challenges in accessing funding resources, making higher education seem unattainable.
The study found most respondents in Florida were Seminole or Miccosukee but also included youths from tribes like Cheyenne, Arapaho and Maya, reflecting the diversity of Native identities in the state.
Runsabove pointed out a growing trend in Florida and across the nation among Native youth is the shift toward identifying as “Indigenous” rather than “Native American.”
“Sixty-five percent of Florida youths most strongly identify with the term ‘Native American,’ but 30% most strongly identify with the term ‘Indigenous,'” Runsabove reported. “I’m eager to see in five years what that looks like, and I would anticipate that 30% will increase to some extent.”
Native youths reported a 10% to 15% higher presence of law enforcement on reservations compared with cities and small towns, raising concerns about over-policing as they navigate tribal, state, local, and federal police jurisdictions.
At the same time, they expressed a preference for health care services within tribal communities, highlighting the critical need for culturally competent care.
